CHICAGO (WLS) — Much of the Chicago area is under an Air Quality Alert due to unhealthy ozone and wildfire smoke levels, the National Weather Service said. The alert will remain in effect through Friday night.
Data shows Chicago was ranked as having the worst air quality levels for major cities worldwide on Thursday as the alert for Canadian wildfire smoke impacted many outdoor events in the area.
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The Ping Tom Park Fieldhouse was a busy place Thursday with the Chicago Park District moving all day camps indoors. Many people said even after just a few minutes outside, and they could feel it in their lungs and throat.
As of 5 p.m. the North Side of Chicago and northern suburbs had very extremely unhealthy levels of air quality, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Areas near the border with Wisconsin and into southern Wisconsin were also at very unhealthy levels.
SEE ALSO: Tracking air quality across the Chicago area
The air quality alert comes as smoke from wildfires in Canada drifts into the area.
Smoke from Canadian wildfires is seen in downtown Chicago.
The NWS says air pollutants can cause headaches, irritated eyes and sinuses, fatigue, difficulty breathing, chest pains, asthma attacks, irritated throat and increased coughing.
SEE ALSO: How to stay cool in Chicago area amid rising temperatures this summer: LIST
The Chicago Fire soccer team has postponed a match that was supposed to be played Thursday evening at Soldier Field due to the air quality.
“Chicago Fire FC announced today that tonight’s match against Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Soldier Field has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 6, due to poor air quality conditions in the Chicago area resulting from wildfire smoke,” an update from the team read.
The Chicago Park District is moving activities, including camps, indoors on Thursday due to the air quality.
All outdoor beaches and pools will close for the day allowing lifeguards to seek shelter indoors, the park district said.
Outdoor programming, like movies in the park, has also been canceled.
The Osaka Garden and both the Garfield Park Conservatory and Lincoln Park Conservatory have closed for the day.
The Millennium Park Music Series is canceled Thursday.
The city of Evanston paused non-essential work on Thursday due to the air quality reaching a hazardous level. This meant beaches were not staffed with lifeguards, and swimming was not allowed. First responders said they were on alert and closely watching the conditions.
“Our biggest concern as first responders is people with pre-existing respiratory conditions going outside. We’ve received a few calls today from people with COPD,” said Sean Malloy, the Chief of Special Operations at the Evanston Fire Department.
Dr. Juanita Mora with the American Lung Association says even the healthiest people are at risk.
“If you can see it , and you can smell it, you’re breathing it in. People who are nice and healthy, don’t think that just because you’re acutely exposed that you’re going to be okay long term,” Dr. Mora said.
Experts say the combination of the heat, humidity, and pollution loaded with particulates could put those with respiratory problems at risk.
To stay safe people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teens are being advised to:
– Avoid strenuous outdoor activities
– Keep outdoor activities short
– Consider moving physical activities indoors or rescheduling them.
For everyone else:
– Choose less strenuous activities like walking instead of running so you don’t breathe so hard (and)
– Be active outdoors when the air quality is better.
Health experts say under the current conditions, anyone suffering from a respiratory ailment or condition would be advised to stay indoors.
In addition to limiting time outside, doctors recommend staying hydrated. Drinking plenty of water will help the respiratory system in dry, smoky conditions.
“This smoke that is in the air, it’s very irritating,” Chicagoan Michelle Turner said. “You can’t hardly breathe.”
Turner isn’t taking any chances.
“Burning in the eyes burning in the throat,” she said. “This is why I have my mask, my glasses on to protect myself.”
Dave Rockovich is visiting from Colorado.
“Living in Colorado, the whole state’s on fire right now, so,” he said.
Most of the city’s skyline is blanketed in a haze as toxic smoke.
Dave Rockovich and Irgrid Rockovich said not only can you see it, you can smell it, too.
“We were curious about what was going on because we woke up,” Dave Rockovich said.
“We thought it was just fog, and he looked it up and saw his wildfires. And I was like, ‘Oh geez, OK,'” Irgrid Rockovich said.
Plenty of people went to North Avenue Beach early to try and beat the heat.
Despite suffering from allergies, Daniel Ortiz still went for a run along the lakefront.
“It’s the wind and the haze. Because when I got out of the house this morning, I saw it.,” Ortiz said. “I thought it was gonna be a little tough one today, but either way we got a good sweat in.”
ABC7 AccuWeather meteorologists said there is a small chance for a few isolated storms Thursday afternoon. Butler said rain chances increase Friday afternoon and evening as well as Saturday evening.
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Evelyn Holmes
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