Chicago Air Quality Alert in effect with index at hazardous levels from Canadian wildfire smoke - ABC7 Chicago
Chicago residents faced hazardous air quality levels due to smoke drifting from Canadian wildfires, leading to the cancellation of outdoor events and the closure of public facilities. Conditions are expected to fluctuate throughout the weekend as officials monitor the situation.
Why it matters
Wildfire smoke is increasingly impacting public health and urban infrastructure in regions far from the actual fires, highlighting the broader environmental challenges of climate change.
CHICAGO (WLS) -- An Air Quality Alert remains in effect for the Chicago area Friday due to smoke from Canadian wildfires.
The alert was extended to be in effect through Saturday night for the parts of the Chicago area in Illinois, and the alert will be in effect until Monday for parts of northwest Indiana.
Air quality remained in the "hazardous" category for the Chicago area Friday morning. It later improved to "unhealthy" levels.
ABC7 AccuWeather meteorologists said the worst of the air quality will be in the morning hours and conditions could improve in the afternoon hours.
Some rain and storms were expected in the afternoon and evening and it is possible the rain mixes with the smoke to leave behind a sludge.
Air quality should be better on Saturday, but smoky skies could return on Sunday.
The air is unhealthy for anyone to breathe.
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