Current air quality Chicago: AQI high in Illinois, Indiana counties leaving air quality alert due to Canadian wildfires 2025 [Video]

CHICAGO (WLS) — The Chicago area is under an air quality alert until Friday night due to the Canadian wildfire smoke.

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Environmental officials said the pollutants from the smoke will be sticking around the area through at least Friday at midnight.

Most of the Chicago area are under the “unhealthy for all” category. Residents are urged to limit outdoor time.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency declared an “Air Pollution Action Day” for the greater Chicago area, with special attention to those most vulnerable, including children, the elderly and pregnant women.

The alert was in effect for northern and northeast Illinois and Northwest Indiana.

A tracker with the latest updates on air quality levels for areas across the state can be found on the AirNow government website.

Who is at risk?

Children, and those with pulmonary or respiratory diseases such as asthma, are recommended to limit their time outdoors.

“If you …