Wildfire Smoke Causes Unhealthy Air Quality In Chicago Area

ILLINOIS — The Chicago area has some of the worst air quality in the country today, as wildfire smoke from Canada moves into the area, according to AirNow.Gov, which monitors air quality across the United States.

Smoke from the wildfires in Canada is affecting areas from the mid-Atlantic through the Northeast and parts of the upper Great Lakes.

The National Weather Service said there will be low visibility due to wildfire smoke, and prolonged outdoor activities should be limited. The weather service does not forecast for air quality.

As of 7 a.m. Tuesday, air quality is already at unhealthy levels, according to AirNow.gov. In Joliet, the air quality is 165, which falls under the "unhealthy" category. In Chicago, air quality was even worse, at a level of 178, which again falls under the "unhealthy" level.

At the "unhealthy" level, AirNow.Gov said people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teens should avoid strenuous outdoor activities or consider moving activities indoors. Everyone else should also shorten the time they are active outdoors, or choose less strenuous activities where you won't breathe as hard.

In Joliet, Tuesday is the worst day of air quality so far in June. On June 2, air quality was at 151, also "unhealthy" levels. June has only had four days of air quality at "good" level, according to AirNow.Gov.