Chicago air quality alert in effect from Canadian wildfire smoke; heat wave coming

CHICAGO (WLS) -- An Air Quality Alert remains in effect for the Chicago area on Tuesday.

The area is seeing hazy conditions due to smoke drifting down from the Canadian wildfires, causing lower air quality in Chicago. The alert is in effect for nearly the entire area until midnight.

As of 11:34 a.m., AirNow.Gov had Chicago's air quality at 145, which is unhealthy for sensitive groups.

Tracking air quality across the Chicago area

Along with the hazy skies, temperatures climbed steeply Tuesday. They were in the 80s by early afternoon, with the humidity making it feel like the 90s.

People were adapting to the heat the best way they know, including getting their feet wet in the Crown Fountain.

"Really refreshing," Lucas Krause, who is visiting from Wisconsin, said. "Doesn't get much more iconic than this, especially on a hot day."

That may be necessary as the city is under a heat wave this week with highs expected in the 90s.

Folks visiting the Windy City are in for a scorcher.

"We've got some sunscreen in the bag," Carrie Robinson, who is visiting from the UK, said. "Try and stay in some shade if we can, but enjoy the weather as well because we don't get too much of this in our British summer time."

With the poor air quality and high temperatures, experts and doctors advise limiting your outside exposure and being wise about what kinds of outdoor activities you participate in.

RUSH Medical Center emergency physician Dr. Scott Heinrich warns of heat exhaustion or stroke, where you may feel confused and dizzy.

"This is not the best time if it's 100 out, to go do gardening or run a marathon," Dr. Heinrich said. "Try to just be smart about what you do to really try to avoid any heat exhaustion."

The Chicago skyline was clouded by hazy skies as unhealthy air quality continues.

"We see during the air quality alerts, patients having flares of their asthma, harder to breathe, harder to catch their breath, maybe some eye irritation," Dr. Heinrich said. "Try to limit your time outside best you can."

And if you are outside, the doctor says to try to avoid direct sunlight, where loose-fitted clothing, stay hydrated and drink your electrolytes.

Recommendations from the U.S. EPA for at-risk groups:

• Avoid strenuous outdoor activities

• Keep outdoor activities short

• Move physical activities indoors or reschedule them altogether.

The unhealthy air quality comes as temperatures in the area are expected to reach into the 90s.

The city of Chicago has several cooling areas for residents during the heat. Chicago Public Libraries and Chicago Park District fieldhouses will also have air conditioning.

Cooling area locations:

Englewood Center - 1140 W. 79th St., open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Garfield Center - 10 S. Kedzie Ave., open all day

King Center - 4314 S. Cottage Grove, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

North Area Center - 845 W. Wilson Ave., open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

South Chicago Center - 8650 S. Commercial Ave., open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Trina Davila Center - 4312 W. North Ave., open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.