'Extremely Poor Air Quality' Closes Centennial Beach, Paddleboats In Naperville

NAPERVILLE, IL — "Extremely poor air quality" prompted the Naperville Park District to close down Centennial Beach and the Paddleboat Quarry on Thursday, the park district said.

According to the National Weather Service, a "red forecast air pollution action day" was issued by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for the entire Chicago area.

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NWS had issued an air quality alert due to wildfire smoke from Canada.

"Northern IL is expected to be on the edge of a thick plume of surface smoke moving in from the north and cleaner air to the south," the weather service said. "... Everyone should reduce prolonged activities or heavy exertion outdoors. Active children, older adults, and people with pulmonary or respiratory disease such as asthma should avoid prolonged activities or heavy exertion outdoors."

When air quality index levels move to "red," or "unhealthy," then all Illinois residents are encouraged to keep cool and limit physical activity outdoors.

The IEPA gave the following tips:

• Stay indoors and monitor your breathing, especially if you have heart or lung disease, and keep windows and doors closed.
• If your air conditioner has a fresh air intake, set your system to recirculate or close the intake.
• Use high-efficiency filters in air conditioning systems and portable air cleaners.
• Avoid activities that create more particulate matter indoors, like smoking or burning candles.
• If you cannot avoid working or other outdoor activities, then choose shorter or less intense activities, consider rescheduling if possible, and take more frequent breaks.
• Consider wearing a high-quality N-95 or N-100 mask to filter damaging particles while outdoors.