Chicago air quality at unhealthy levels due to smoke from Canadian wildfires
Air Quality Alerts are in effect for Chicago area and in Indiana, Wisconsin
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Smoke from wildfires burning in Canada are leading to very hazy conditions and plummeting air quality in the Chicago area Tuesday.
The air quality for much of the Chicago area Tuesday is in the unhealthy category for all people, not just those with respiratory ailments.
WATCH: Time-lapse shows hazy skies in Chicago
Air Quality Alerts are in effect for the Chicago area and the Rockford area for until midnight Wednesday. Alerts are also in effect in Wisconsin and Indiana.
As of 9 p.m., AirNow.gov listed Chicago air quality at 241. Chicago had the worst air quality of any major city in the world Tuesday.
"Your bronchioles, the tubes that lead down to your lungs are going to be more inflamed. And that's going to make them feel like they're closing off a bit," said Dr. Jordan Moskoff of Stroger Hospital.
Performing at Northerly Island Tuesday night, Garbage lead singer Shirley Manson had to cut their set short due to the air quality.
"I have COPD and this is really bad for me, so we've cut our set short," she's seen saying on a fan's cell phone video from the concert.
Canadian officials said rainfall likely won't be enough to extinguish the wildfires ravaging northern Quebec, but the wet weather could give firefighters a chance to get ahead of the flames as the country surpassed the record for area burned by wildfires this week. Drifting smoke from the wildfires across Canada is creating curtains of haze and raising air quality concerns throughout the Great Lakes region, and in parts of the central and eastern United States. Meanwhile, NASA is reporting that smoke from wildfires in northern Quebec has reached Europe.
Tracking air quality across the Chicago area
The Chicago Park District said it will move programs, including summer camps, indoors to the fullest extent possible.
Police said all Evanston beaches have been closed for the remainder of Tuesday, and fire officials said the Starlight Concert at Baker Park has been canceled Tuesday night.
Outside Wrigley Field, fans were taking few chances.
"This is the number one worst air quality in the world," said Cubs fan Lucy Graeve. "I just wanted to take a precaution and save these little ones' lungs. I have three kids and we're all going to try and wear masks."
How to stay safe with dangerous air quality
Those who have to be outside are recommended to mask up, with an N95 mask if possible. With the poor air quality, AirNow.gov recommends people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teens to reduce exposure by:
- Avoiding strenuous outdoor activities
- Keeping outdoor activities short
- Consider moving physical activities indoors or rescheduling them
For everyone, officials recommend people:
- Choose less strenuous activities (like walking instead of running) so you don't breathe as hard
- Shorten the amount of time you are active outdoors
- Be active outdoors when air quality is better
Chicago respite centers open to help residents without access to safe air
If you do not have access to properly ventilated and safe indoor areas, the city has several respite centers that are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.:
- Englewood center at 1140 W. 79th Street
- King Center at 4314 S. Cottage Grove
- North Area Center at 845 W. Wilson Avenue
- South Chicago Center at 8650 S. Commercial Drive
- Trina Davila Center at 4312 W. North Avenue
Garfield Center at 10 South Kedzie Avenue is open 24 hours a day as a respite center as well, the city said.
Mayor Brandon Johnson issued a statement on the air quality saying, "The City of Chicago is carefully monitoring and taking precautions as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has categorized our Air Quality Index as "unhealthy" due to Canadian wildfire smoke present in the Chicago region. We recommend children, teens, seniors, people with heart or lung disease, and individuals who are pregnant avoid strenuous activities and limit their time outdoors.
"For additional precautions, all Chicagoans may also consider wearing masks, limiting their outdoor exposure, moving activities indoors, running air purifiers, and closing windows. As these unsafe conditions continue, the City will continue to provide updates and take swift action to ensure that vulnerable individuals have the resources they need to protect themselves and their families. Anyone who needs immediate medical attention should dial 911.
"This summer, cities across North America have seen unhealthy levels of air quality as a result of wildfire smoke, impacting over 20 million people from New York City, Washington DC, Montreal, and today here in Chicago. As we work to respond to the immediate health concerns in our communities, this concerning episode demonstrates and underscores the harmful impact that the climate crisis is having on our residents, as well as people all over the world.
"We must take drastic action to mitigate these threats and ensure that every Chicagoan in every neighborhood has the resources and protection they need to thrive. Please visit airnow.gov for information on the latest air quality in Chicago."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
