On Tuesday, the City of Chicago had the worst air quality of any major city in the world, thanks to the persistent, ever-spreading Canadian wildfires.
As a result, curtains of haze that smelled of smoke hung in the sky, from the City to the suburbs, and those conditions could continue.
The blazes in Canada have resulted from 490 fires burning, with 255 considered out of control, reported the Associated Press.
The air quality in Chicago, Detroit and Milwaukee was categorized as “very unhealthy” on Tuesday. Parts of Illinois, lower Michigan and southern Wisconsin had the worst air quality in the U.S., according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s AirNow.gov site.
Chicago officials have recommended that children, teens, seniors, those with heart or lung disease and pregnant individuals avoid strenuous activities and limit their time outdoors.
As of early Wednesday morning, AirNow.gov listed Chicago air quality at 230, which is still in the “unhealthy” range.
Moreover, the National Weather Service states that the air quality alert will continue through Wednesday.
[4:45 PM 6/27] Air Quality Alerts and Ozone Action Days have been declared by the ILEPA and IDEM as poor air quality will continue through Wednesday. Please see https://t.co/N5S58sVQNn for additional forecasts, safety information, and tips on how you can reduce your emissions. pic.twitter.com/0wXuF9sfR9
— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) June 27, 2023
Mayor Brandon Johnson issued this statement in response to the air-quality issues:
“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 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. 🧵
— Mayor Brandon Johnson (@ChicagosMayor) June 27, 2023
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