Illinois air quality remains under attack. Track Canadian wildfires, smoke with these maps

Chris Sims, Journal Star
·1 min read
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Illinois residents were introduced to hazy, smoke-filled air from the Canadian wildfires Tuesday, but the poor air quality continues to plague the northern United States.

Air quality alerts continue to roll out across the Midwest. As the smog-like conditions continue to fill the skies, there are a few key maps to show the extent and severity of the wildfire smoke.

Canada wildfires smoke in Illinois: Canadian wildfire smoke is affecting our air quality

Here's what you need to know about Illinois air quality today:

Where is the smoke coming from and why is it hazy today?

Wildfires in Canada continue to burn and smoke form the region is pushing air quality into the unhealthy or worse categories, according to the National Weather Service. The widespread span of problems drew an air quality alert from NWS.

Residents are urged to reduce pollution levels and attempt to stay indoors when possible.

The NWS says sensitive individuals — including children and teenagers, minority populations, older adults, people with heart or lung disease and outdoor workers — should avoid long or intense outdoor activity. Anyone should consider reducing outdoor exposure and take extra breaks.

What is AQI?

AQI stands for Air Quality Index. Visit www.airnow.gov for air quality forecasts, emission reduction tips and health safety.

Worst air quality in the world: Chicago, Detroit have worst air quality due to Canadian wildfires. Here's how to stay safe.

Air Quality forecast near me today

The National Weather Service issued alerts today about air quality in Illinois because of smoke from the Canadian wildfires.
The National Weather Service issued alerts today about air quality in Illinois because of smoke from the Canadian wildfires.

According to a National Weather Service alert, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has deemed Wednesday, June 28 weather conditions as "unhealthy" due to fine particulate matter and Thursday, June 29 as "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" for fine particulate matter.

Air Quality Map − Illinois

Illinois Smoke Map for Canada Wildfires

Chris Sims is a digital producer for the Journal Star. Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisFSims.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Air quality in Illinois: Track Canada wildfires, smoke with these maps