SPRINGFIELD, IL (Chambana Today) — The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) has issued an air quality advisory as smoke from Canadian wildfires has entered Illinois, with conditions expected to worsen through Friday evening and linger into Saturday.
According to updated smoke models, fine particulate pollution will increase across northern Illinois Friday afternoon and sweep southeast across the state overnight. Some smoke may persist into Saturday morning, with gradual clearing expected from the northeast to central Illinois. A second smoke plume west of the state is also being closely monitored for potential impacts Sunday.
While the daily Air Quality Index (AQI) for Friday is forecasted to remain in the Yellow (“Moderate”) category across much of the state, some areas in the Chicago region have been downgraded to Orange (“Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups”).
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is urging residents—particularly those with heart or lung conditions, older adults, children, and people who are active outdoors—to monitor their health and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities if air quality reaches the Red (“Unhealthy”) category.
Symptoms to watch include wheezing, coughing, fatigue, rapid heartbeat, chest pain, and shortness of breath. Residents experiencing worsening symptoms are advised to contact their doctor or call 911.
To minimize exposure, health officials recommend:
- Staying indoors with windows and doors closed
- Using air conditioning systems with high-efficiency filters on recirculate mode
- Avoiding indoor pollution sources like smoking and candles
- Reducing the intensity or duration of outdoor activities
- Wearing N-95 or N-100 masks if outdoor exposure is unavoidable
Residents can check real-time air quality updates at AirNow.gov.
