Overview

• Smoke from over 550 active Canadian wildfires burning more than 15 million acres has pushed AQI readings into unhealthy to very unhealthy levels across Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan and Connecticut.
• Chicago recorded the world’s worst air quality Thursday as stagnant high pressure trapped fine particulate–rich smoke at ground level.
• State and federal agencies, including the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and EPA, have issued statewide alerts through Saturday and advised all residents to limit outdoor exertion.
• Health experts warn that PM2.5 in wildfire smoke can aggravate respiratory and cardiovascular conditions and recommend using N95 masks and running indoor air filtration.
• Meteorological forecasts call for wind shifts and scattered showers this weekend to disperse the trapped smoke, with air quality expected to improve by early next week.