Chicagoans woke up to the smell and taste of thick smoke Friday, an unpleasant start to the summer day.
Polluted air from Canadian wildfire smoke made it dangerous for anyone to be outside for long periods of time, government officials warned.
Beaches in Chicago and Evanston were closed due to the air quality and all outdoor park district programs were moved indoors. Organizers for several events planned for later in the day were waiting to make final decisions about whether to cancel.
Here’s what else you need to know about how long the smoky air will stick around and what it means for your health.
Why is the air quality so bad?
The drop in air quality is due to smoke from more than 800 Canadian wildfires burning – many out of control.
The National Weather Service says some of the fires are close to the northern border of the United States. Wind patterns are pushing the smoke south and into the Chicago area.
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency declared an Air Pollution Action Day for Chicago and Northern Illinois Friday and individuals were urged to limit prolonged outdoor activity and take more frequent breaks.
Chicago’s Air Quality Index for Friday ranged from very unhealthy to hazardous – the two most severe levels on the Air Quality Index.
How widespread is the smoke across Chicago?
Canadian wildfire smoke has had a lingering effect on the Chicago area’s air quality over the last three years, including last June when the city’s air ranked among the worst in the world due to the smoke.
A map of city air monitors shows a large swath of “very unhealthy” air quality covering most of the city with “hazardous” readings in northern neighborhoods Rogers Park, Edgewater, West Ridge and Lake View. Very unhealthy warnings stretch down to South Chicago and Hegewisch.
The map of almost 300 locations indicates the entire city has either “hazardous” or “very unhealthy” air Friday.
The city monitors don’t track ozone, the other harmful type of pollution that’s contributing to poor air quality.
Is the air unhealthy?
Yes. There is an “unhealthy” air quality alert in Chicago.
Fires create fine particulate matter, or PM 2.5, that can lodge deep into your lungs and travel through your blood once inhaled. These microscopic particles are particularly dangerous for people with asthma and other medical conditions or weak immune systems. They can lead to heart attacks and strokes after exposure for long periods.
Among the world’s largest cities, as of 8:00 am on Friday Chicago ranked worst for air pollution, followed by Detroit, Washington D.C. and New York, according to a Swiss company that sells air purifiers.
You can track the air quality in your zip code at the EPA’s AirNow website.
How long will this last?
The government air quality alert currently runs through Saturday, and forecasters said the smoke may linger into Saturday morning.
“Based on the latest forecast trends, it looks like air quality should gradually improve as that smoke pushes off to the northeast,” said Zachary Yack, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. “The only caveat is it’s a little unclear how fast things actually improve.”
Yack notes that as winds begin to push the smoke out of the area, it may linger near Lake Michigan before fully heading northeast.
Is this likely to happen every summer?
Yes. This appears to be the new normal. In Chicago, we experienced similar conditions in 2023 when Canadian wildfires burned during a record year. Last year was also bad for Canadian fires; the city’s air ranked among the worst in the world in June of last year due to the smoke.
We’re seeing earlier and more intense forest fires in Canada as climate change is producing warmer spring temperatures and dryness up north
How can I protect myself?
Limit your exposure outside, especially if you have a respiratory or other health condition. An N95 mask, like those commonly worn during the COVID pandemic, can protect against the dangerous particle pollution. Pregnant women, children, teenagers and older adults are also at higher risk.
“I think everyone should close their doors and windows to try to prevent the smoke from getting into their homes as much as possible,” said Dr. Jack Zhao, a pulmonary critical care doctor at Rush Copley Medical Center. “I equate being outside with a forest fire to smoking. I think over time it will cause long-term side effects.”
Contributing: Haley Blomquist