Overview

• National Weather Service and state agencies have extended air quality alerts in the Chicago area and neighboring states through Saturday night because of lingering smoke from Canadian fires.
• Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) readings continue in the unhealthy-for-sensitive-groups category across Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan and Connecticut, with pockets still reaching unhealthy levels for all.
• Chicago’s air briefly ranked worst in the world on Thursday before easing to moderate in some areas today as shifting weather patterns promise clearer skies by Sunday.
• Health officials recommend that people with heart or lung conditions, older adults and children limit outdoor activity, keep windows closed and use HEPA filtration or N95 masks to reduce exposure.
• Experts attribute recurring smoke plumes to over 650 active Canadian wildfires intensified by extreme heat and drought, highlighting the role of climate change in extending wildfire seasons.