Chicago Air Quality Still Hazardous Friday Morning After Historic AQI on Thursday; Improvements Expected This Afternoon
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Summary
- Chicago's air quality reached hazardous levels Thursday — the worst in the city's recorded history, according to Mayor Brandon Johnson — as wildfire smoke from more than 200 fires burning in northwestern Ontario settled over the region.
- The Air Quality Index climbed above 400 during the day before peaking at 700 Thursday evening. Chicago was ranked the worst major city in the world for air quality at its peak.
- As of Friday morning, Chicago's AQI remains above 400 — still in the "hazardous" category. An Air Quality Alert is in effect for 12 Illinois counties including Cook, DuPage, Kane, Will, and Lake until midnight Friday.
- Smoke is expected to begin clearing later Friday afternoon as winds shift, with conditions improving to the "unhealthy" category by Friday evening and "moderate" by Saturday morning.
- Light to moderate smoke could return Saturday evening around 8-9 p.m. as winds shift, though not as severe as Thursday.
- City officials continue to urge residents to stay indoors, keep windows closed, and limit outdoor activity until the AQI drops.
- Anyone with heart or lung conditions, young children, senior citizens, and other sensitive groups should avoid all unnecessary time outside. If you must go outside, wear a well-fitted N95 or KN95 mask.
- For real-time local conditions, check AirNow.gov. Residents can sign up for city emergency alerts through the OEMC app or at notifychicago.org, and anyone needing air-conditioned relief can call 311 to find a cooling center or request a well-being check for an at-risk neighbor.
Timeline
By Saturday morning, air quality is expected to improve to the "moderate" category. Light to moderate smoke could return Saturday evening around 8-9 p.m. as winds shift, though conditions are not expected to be as severe as Thursday.
The Cubs are set to play at Wrigley Field Friday night. Colombian Fest in Humboldt Park, Taste of River North, West Fest, Roscoe Village Burger Fest, and Tacos y Tamales are all expected to proceed as planned, per local news sources.
Smoke is expected to start moving out later Friday, in time for weekend festivals.
An Air Quality Alert remains in effect for 12 counties including Cook, DuPage, Kane, Will, and Lake until midnight Friday.
Chicago's AQI is still over 400 Friday morning — still in hazardous territory.
For real-time local conditions, check AirNow.gov. Residents can sign up for emergency alerts through the OEMC app or at notifychicago.org, and anyone needing air-conditioned relief can call 311 to find a cooling center or request a well-being check for an at-risk neighbor.
Those most at risk—older adults, children, pregnant people, and anyone with heart or lung conditions—should avoid all unnecessary time outdoors. The Chicago Park District has closed beaches and moved or canceled outdoor programs.
Residents are advised to stay inside as much as possible, keep windows closed, run air conditioning on recirculate to keep smoky air out, and run an air purifier on its highest setting if available. Anyone who must go outside should wear a well-fitted N95 or KN95 mask, though health officials stress that a mask is not a substitute for staying indoors. Watch for symptoms like coughing, chest pain, or difficulty breathing, and call 911 for severe symptoms.
The National Weather Service has extended its air quality alert through Friday night for parts of northern Illinois and all of northwest Indiana.
The air quality index climbed above 450 during the day Thursday, ranking Chicago among the worst major cities in the world. It then jumped to over 600 on Thursday evening.
Officials are urging residents to stay indoors and keep windows closed.
Chicago's air quality has reached hazardous levels as smoke from Canadian wildfires settles over the region—the worst air quality in the city's recorded history, according to Mayor Brandon Johnson. At hazardous levels, the smoke is dangerous for everyone, not just sensitive groups.
Incident reported at Chicago.
By Saturday morning, air quality is expected to improve to the "moderate" category. Light to moderate smoke could return Saturday evening around 8-9 p.m. as winds shift, though conditions are not expected to be as severe as Thursday.
The Cubs are set to play at Wrigley Field Friday night. Colombian Fest in Humboldt Park, Taste of River North, West Fest, Roscoe Village Burger Fest, and Tacos y Tamales are all expected to proceed as planned, per local news sources.
Smoke is expected to start moving out later Friday, in time for weekend festivals.
An Air Quality Alert remains in effect for 12 counties including Cook, DuPage, Kane, Will, and Lake until midnight Friday.
Chicago's AQI is still over 400 Friday morning — still in hazardous territory.
For real-time local conditions, check AirNow.gov. Residents can sign up for emergency alerts through the OEMC app or at notifychicago.org, and anyone needing air-conditioned relief can call 311 to find a cooling center or request a well-being check for an at-risk neighbor.
Those most at risk—older adults, children, pregnant people, and anyone with heart or lung conditions—should avoid all unnecessary time outdoors. The Chicago Park District has closed beaches and moved or canceled outdoor programs.
Residents are advised to stay inside as much as possible, keep windows closed, run air conditioning on recirculate to keep smoky air out, and run an air purifier on its highest setting if available. Anyone who must go outside should wear a well-fitted N95 or KN95 mask, though health officials stress that a mask is not a substitute for staying indoors. Watch for symptoms like coughing, chest pain, or difficulty breathing, and call 911 for severe symptoms.
The National Weather Service has extended its air quality alert through Friday night for parts of northern Illinois and all of northwest Indiana.
The air quality index climbed above 450 during the day Thursday, ranking Chicago among the worst major cities in the world. It then jumped to over 600 on Thursday evening.
Officials are urging residents to stay indoors and keep windows closed.
Chicago's air quality has reached hazardous levels as smoke from Canadian wildfires settles over the region—the worst air quality in the city's recorded history, according to Mayor Brandon Johnson. At hazardous levels, the smoke is dangerous for everyone, not just sensitive groups.
Incident reported at Chicago.
By Saturday morning, air quality is expected to improve to the "moderate" category. Light to moderate smoke could return Saturday evening around 8-9 p.m. as winds shift, though conditions are not expected to be as severe as Thursday.
The Cubs are set to play at Wrigley Field Friday night. Colombian Fest in Humboldt Park, Taste of River North, West Fest, Roscoe Village Burger Fest, and Tacos y Tamales are all expected to proceed as planned, per local news sources.
Smoke is expected to start moving out later Friday, in time for weekend festivals.
An Air Quality Alert remains in effect for 12 counties including Cook, DuPage, Kane, Will, and Lake until midnight Friday.
Chicago's AQI is still over 400 Friday morning — still in hazardous territory.
For real-time local conditions, check AirNow.gov. Residents can sign up for emergency alerts through the OEMC app or at notifychicago.org, and anyone needing air-conditioned relief can call 311 to find a cooling center or request a well-being check for an at-risk neighbor.
Those most at risk—older adults, children, pregnant people, and anyone with heart or lung conditions—should avoid all unnecessary time outdoors. The Chicago Park District has closed beaches and moved or canceled outdoor programs.
Residents are advised to stay inside as much as possible, keep windows closed, run air conditioning on recirculate to keep smoky air out, and run an air purifier on its highest setting if available. Anyone who must go outside should wear a well-fitted N95 or KN95 mask, though health officials stress that a mask is not a substitute for staying indoors. Watch for symptoms like coughing, chest pain, or difficulty breathing, and call 911 for severe symptoms.
The National Weather Service has extended its air quality alert through Friday night for parts of northern Illinois and all of northwest Indiana.
The air quality index climbed above 450 during the day Thursday, ranking Chicago among the worst major cities in the world. It then jumped to over 600 on Thursday evening.
Officials are urging residents to stay indoors and keep windows closed.
Chicago's air quality has reached hazardous levels as smoke from Canadian wildfires settles over the region—the worst air quality in the city's recorded history, according to Mayor Brandon Johnson. At hazardous levels, the smoke is dangerous for everyone, not just sensitive groups.
Incident reported at Chicago.
By Saturday morning, air quality is expected to improve to the "moderate" category. Light to moderate smoke could return Saturday evening around 8-9 p.m. as winds shift, though conditions are not expected to be as severe as Thursday.
The Cubs are set to play at Wrigley Field Friday night. Colombian Fest in Humboldt Park, Taste of River North, West Fest, Roscoe Village Burger Fest, and Tacos y Tamales are all expected to proceed as planned, per local news sources.
Smoke is expected to start moving out later Friday, in time for weekend festivals.
An Air Quality Alert remains in effect for 12 counties including Cook, DuPage, Kane, Will, and Lake until midnight Friday.
Chicago's AQI is still over 400 Friday morning — still in hazardous territory.
For real-time local conditions, check AirNow.gov. Residents can sign up for emergency alerts through the OEMC app or at notifychicago.org, and anyone needing air-conditioned relief can call 311 to find a cooling center or request a well-being check for an at-risk neighbor.
Those most at risk—older adults, children, pregnant people, and anyone with heart or lung conditions—should avoid all unnecessary time outdoors. The Chicago Park District has closed beaches and moved or canceled outdoor programs.
Residents are advised to stay inside as much as possible, keep windows closed, run air conditioning on recirculate to keep smoky air out, and run an air purifier on its highest setting if available. Anyone who must go outside should wear a well-fitted N95 or KN95 mask, though health officials stress that a mask is not a substitute for staying indoors. Watch for symptoms like coughing, chest pain, or difficulty breathing, and call 911 for severe symptoms.
The National Weather Service has extended its air quality alert through Friday night for parts of northern Illinois and all of northwest Indiana.
The air quality index climbed above 450 during the day Thursday, ranking Chicago among the worst major cities in the world. It then jumped to over 600 on Thursday evening.
Officials are urging residents to stay indoors and keep windows closed.
Chicago's air quality has reached hazardous levels as smoke from Canadian wildfires settles over the region—the worst air quality in the city's recorded history, according to Mayor Brandon Johnson. At hazardous levels, the smoke is dangerous for everyone, not just sensitive groups.
Incident reported at Chicago.
By Saturday morning, air quality is expected to improve to the "moderate" category. Light to moderate smoke could return Saturday evening around 8-9 p.m. as winds shift, though conditions are not expected to be as severe as Thursday.
The Cubs are set to play at Wrigley Field Friday night. Colombian Fest in Humboldt Park, Taste of River North, West Fest, Roscoe Village Burger Fest, and Tacos y Tamales are all expected to proceed as planned, per local news sources.
Smoke is expected to start moving out later Friday, in time for weekend festivals.
An Air Quality Alert remains in effect for 12 counties including Cook, DuPage, Kane, Will, and Lake until midnight Friday.
Chicago's AQI is still over 400 Friday morning — still in hazardous territory.
For real-time local conditions, check AirNow.gov. Residents can sign up for emergency alerts through the OEMC app or at notifychicago.org, and anyone needing air-conditioned relief can call 311 to find a cooling center or request a well-being check for an at-risk neighbor.
Those most at risk—older adults, children, pregnant people, and anyone with heart or lung conditions—should avoid all unnecessary time outdoors. The Chicago Park District has closed beaches and moved or canceled outdoor programs.
Residents are advised to stay inside as much as possible, keep windows closed, run air conditioning on recirculate to keep smoky air out, and run an air purifier on its highest setting if available. Anyone who must go outside should wear a well-fitted N95 or KN95 mask, though health officials stress that a mask is not a substitute for staying indoors. Watch for symptoms like coughing, chest pain, or difficulty breathing, and call 911 for severe symptoms.
The National Weather Service has extended its air quality alert through Friday night for parts of northern Illinois and all of northwest Indiana.
The air quality index climbed above 450 during the day Thursday, ranking Chicago among the worst major cities in the world. It then jumped to over 600 on Thursday evening.
Officials are urging residents to stay indoors and keep windows closed.
Chicago's air quality has reached hazardous levels as smoke from Canadian wildfires settles over the region—the worst air quality in the city's recorded history, according to Mayor Brandon Johnson. At hazardous levels, the smoke is dangerous for everyone, not just sensitive groups.
Incident reported at Chicago.
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Download CitizenComments30
My bad I was smoking that good shi
@JoDracEm312 yummmy
Yes. Gave me a bad headache
@Eevans1106 canada sprays their forests with glysophate which is flammable
Lived here my whole life… so interesting that this never used to happen, but now it’s happening multiple times per year.
Isn't that interesting
we are actively facing effects of climate change and yet nobody in power wants to do anything about it
@chicagoUser1817385014 there’s no funding to environmental sciences and forest management
My bad I was smoking that good shi
@JoDracEm312 yummmy
Yes. Gave me a bad headache
@Eevans1106 canada sprays their forests with glysophate which is flammable
Lived here my whole life… so interesting that this never used to happen, but now it’s happening multiple times per year.
Isn't that interesting
we are actively facing effects of climate change and yet nobody in power wants to do anything about it
@chicagoUser1817385014 there’s no funding to environmental sciences and forest management
My bad I was smoking that good shi
@JoDracEm312 yummmy
Yes. Gave me a bad headache
@Eevans1106 canada sprays their forests with glysophate which is flammable
Lived here my whole life… so interesting that this never used to happen, but now it’s happening multiple times per year.
Isn't that interesting
we are actively facing effects of climate change and yet nobody in power wants to do anything about it
@chicagoUser1817385014 there’s no funding to environmental sciences and forest management
My bad I was smoking that good shi
@JoDracEm312 yummmy
Yes. Gave me a bad headache
@Eevans1106 canada sprays their forests with glysophate which is flammable
Lived here my whole life… so interesting that this never used to happen, but now it’s happening multiple times per year.
Isn't that interesting
we are actively facing effects of climate change and yet nobody in power wants to do anything about it
@chicagoUser1817385014 there’s no funding to environmental sciences and forest management
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My bad I was smoking that good shi
@JoDracEm312 yummmy
Yes. Gave me a bad headache
@Eevans1106 canada sprays their forests with glysophate which is flammable
Lived here my whole life… so interesting that this never used to happen, but now it’s happening multiple times per year.
Isn't that interesting
we are actively facing effects of climate change and yet nobody in power wants to do anything about it
@chicagoUser1817385014 there’s no funding to environmental sciences and forest management