Chicago air quality worst in the world as Canada wildfire smoke chokes skies; beaches closed, events canceled

Chicago air quality is now hazardous as Canadian wildfire smoke has settled in an acrid haze over the area Thursday morning.

There is an Air Quality Alert in place for most of the Chicago area, with the worst AQI in the city and northern suburbs. 

On Thursday afternoon, the air quality in Chicago reached as high as 753, in the "extremely hazardous" category, ranking as the worst air quality in the world, ahead of Detroit and New York. 

While EPA officials have not yet confirmed the data, CBS News Chicago's research has found that the city has the worst air quality in the area since regulatory monitoring began nearly 30 years ago.

Hazardous air is expected to linger through 6 a.m. on Friday, before westerly winds begin clearing smoke out of the area. Skies should clear out by the afternoon, but smoke is expected to return on Saturday and Sunday.s

MORE: Maps show where wildfire smoke is prompting air quality alerts

The "unhealthy" category means some members of the general public may experience health effects, while members of more sensitive groups may experience serious health effects. Children, older adults, and people with disabilities should avoid strenuous outdoor activity under such conditions.

The "very unhealthy" category means the risk of health effects is increased for everyone. If the air quality reaches "hazardous," officials issue a health warning of emergency conditions, and everyone is more likely to be affected by the pollution. 

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency said everyone should reduce their time outdoors in the Chicago area on Thursday.

The concern is fine particles within the wildfire smoke, which travel deep into the lungs.

"We are seeing a bump in our usual numbers that we would see for our typical asthmatics and our COPDers. So I don't have a number yet, but we are seeing an increase compared to previous," said Rodney Fullmer, emergency medicine doctor.

Health experts say early symptoms may include a scratchy throat, itchy eyes, or a stuffy nose. But anyone who develops a cough, shortness of breath, or a feeling of being winded more easily should take it as a sign to get inside and limit exposure.

"This is a time to look out for each other and remind each other, do you need to be outside? Are there other things you can do inside?" said Dr. Ruth McDermott-Levy of Villanova University. "If people are starting to act strange or complain of chest pain or shortness of breath, get them to the emergency department, because emergency departments are getting ready."

Some Chicagoans brave smoky air to try to enjoy outdoor activities

Despite the dangerous air quality blanketing the Chicago area due to Canadian wildfire smoke, some Chicagoans masked up for outdoor activities while others carried on, business as usual.

The air in Chicago on Thursday was so thick, it felt almost apocalyptic. Despite the extremely hazy conditions, there were still some people out and about as if there were no smoke at all.

Some wore masks, while others appeared unbothered by the smoke.

Tours continued by bus, by boat, and bachelorette.

"I told the bride that it might be a little foggy, but it's white because she's getting married," said Lily Mahring, of Kansas City. "We're still going to go out and have a good time, and hope Canada's doing okay, but can't stop a bachelorette party."

As smoke covered the city's skyscrapers, it also engulfed golf balls at the Diversey Driving Range in Lincoln Park, where golfers still got their fix in.

"One day of free time I have after work when I don't have any responsibilities," Ted Delker said. "Fortunately, you can't see anything."

Delker said he was just praying his shots were good. Employees at the driving range noticed a smaller crowd.

"Usually, a day like this would be packed at this time, and I think because of the air quality no one's here," Peter Jakubiak said.

Driving range workers found respite inside as much as they could. 

"This fog's really getting to us. The door's been open all day, so that little bit of smog gets through and it's been in our throats all day," Rowan Sacher said.

Even thicker smoke blankets north suburbs

The conditions in Chicago were bad Thursday, but in the north suburbs they were even worse. Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham described it as someone burning a fire literally right next to you.

"Outside, listen this is serious. This is very serious. Stay home for right now. It's only a couple of days," he said. 

He, along with the town's police and fire chief, were at the beach, telling people they must leave. While "beach closed" signs were posted at entrances and exits to parking lots, that didn't deter all beachgoers, so firefighters swept the sand, telling them the quality of air was not safe and they had to evacuate. Beach rangers were also told to go home. 

""I didn't really have any trouble breathing at all. I feel like it was normal. I was out there swimming. I didn't feel affected by the air or anything. I mean, you can smell the smoke and stuff, but that's about it," said beachgoer Peyton Schmidt, who was upset to be made to leave.

"It's kind of a bummer because we came here to have fun, but then again, it is safe for us to go inside in this weather," said beachgoer Lincoln Jodrey.

Members of the Waukegan Public Works Department who usually work outside worked indoors Thursday, the mayor said, and the town was also doing wellbeing checks or seniors.

Events canceled, moved indoors

The Chicago Park District is moving all their programming Thursday, including their summer day camps, indoors due to the air quality. All normal programming citywide will move indoors with frequent water breaks. Any programming that can't be indoors - like sports leagues - is canceled for the day, district officials said. 

All outdoor beaches and pools are also closed for the day, the Park District said, so lifeguards are not forced to be outside all day with the pollution. Red flags are posted on all beaches. 

Plenty of people still headed out to the city's beaches to hang out in the sand and water, but many did heed warnings to leave due to the poor air quality.

"It's a beautiful day despite the smoke, but they just told us, so we got out, but we're going to walk around and enjoy the nice day. If they tell us to leave, we'll leave," Travis Puffer said.

Puffer and his friends drove in from Detroit, and despite so many outdoor events getting shut down, their first trip to Chicago wasn't a bummer.

"It's still the best city in the world, I'll tell you that," Puffer said. 

Meantime, all Night Out in the Parks and Movies in the Parks events scheduled for Thursday have also been canceled. The Osaka Garden, Garfield Park Conservatory, and Lincoln Park Conservatory are all closed for the day as of 12:30 p.m.

Six Flags Great America and Hurricane Harbor in Gurnee closed early at 3 p.m.

The Black Keys concert, scheduled to be held outside on Thursday night at the Salt Shed, was postponed until Oct. 20 and 21. Original tickets will be honored, the venue said.   

The Chicago Fire FC announced their Thursday night match against the Vancouver Whitecaps at Soldier Field had been rescheduled to Oct. 6 because of the poor air quality conditions. The post-match concert is also postponed, with that make-up date to be announced later. 

Matthew and Jacob Maznio flew from Arizona to Chicago for the game, and were left stuck in the smoky haze in Chicago.

"We have a nice view from the hotel, too, but we can't see anything," Matthew said. "Let's blame Canada, but obviously they can't play with this air."

The game would have been striker Robert Lewandowski's debut with the Chicago Fire.

"We really just wanted to see him play his debut game. Like I said, came all the way from Arizona just to see him play. Now we can't," Jacob said. 

Why is air quality so bad today?

More than 100 wildfires are burning in Canada, where a train crew in northern Ontario filmed themselves surrounded by flames before being safely evacuated. Winds are carrying the smoke southeast.  

Dan Westervelt, associate professor at Columbia University's Climate School, said severe drought conditions combined with heat in Canada and the U.S. have created "a perfect storm for really dry conditions to provide a lot of fuel for these wildfires to burn." Research shows warming temperatures from burning coal, oil and gas are making fires more frequent and intense.

High levels of fine particulate matter in the air from wildfire smoke may be unhealthy for sensitive groups, such as children and people with heart or lung conditions. The particulates can cause shortness of breath, coughing, dizziness or fatigue and aggravate heart and lung diseases and other chronic health issues.

"The stuff that you're seeing there on the images of the skyline are actually the less risky particles," said Dr. Scott Budinger, chief of pulmonary and critical care at Northwestern Medicine. The more risky particles are the very, very small ones about 10 times smaller than a grain of sand that we call the 2.5 micron or less particles. Those particles that can travel deep into your lungs."

Budinger warned that the risks posed by the smoky air could be serious.

"I think one of the things people don't realize about smoke exposure is that it can induce heart attacks and strokes, and that's the biggest health problem that's associated with air population exposure is the risks of heart attacks and strokes," he said.

Experts suggest wearing a N95 mask if you have to be outside and keeping your indoor air cleaner by closing windows and running an air purifier or air conditioner.

How to stay safe in "unhealthy" or "very unhealthy" AQI

During periods of reduced air quality from wildfire smoke, experts advise limiting outdoor exertion and time, keeping windows and doors closed, changing home air filters and running in-home air purifiers if available. Those who need to spend time outdoors are encouraged to wear N-95 masks, which are protective against PM2.5 pollution from wildfire smoke when fitted properly.

Highland Park resident Ellen Rogin went out for a morning walk early Thursday, and was taken aback by the smoke.

"After I walked out of the house, I thought, I really should be wearing a mask, and I saw people running by, and was thinking, I wonder if they realize how bad this is for them, no matter what age they are," Rogin said.

The Daley Plaza Farmers Market was on as usual Thursday, but some people wore masks to protect themselves from the bad air. Vendors took precautions to stay safe while selling their produce.

"For ourselves, we do have some masks back in the back in our bag if it gets bad enough if we need it, and like I said, we may take more frequent breaks just to kind of get some of the purified air," said vendor Kaleena Mark.

The CBS News Chicago First Alert Weather team said the smoke event could rival, or even exceed, the one Chicago experienced in June 2023, when thick orange haze blanketed the sky and the air quality also reached unhealthy levels.

That year, the Air Quality Index peaked at 228, well into the "very unhealthy" category.