A thick blanket of wildfire smoke is settling over Illinois, leading to a statewide Air Quality Alert in effect through midnight Friday, and residents—especially those with breathing problems—are being urged to stay indoors and take precautions.
According to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), an Air Pollution Action Day has been issued for all counties in Illinois, from Adams to Vermilion. The alert is due to high levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the air caused by smoke drifting in from wildfires in the western U.S. and Canada. Combined with stagnant weather conditions, these pollutants have pushed the air quality into the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” (USG) category across much of the state. In some areas, air quality may even reach the “Unhealthy” level, which can affect even people without existing health issues.
Cities including Springfield, Peoria, Decatur, Urbana, and Quincy are experiencing elevated ozone and particulate levels, with thick haze and reduced visibility reported in several regions. The poor air quality is expected to continue throughout Friday and could be extended if the smoke lingers longer than expected.
Officials are strongly urging children, seniors, people with asthma, lung disease, or heart conditions to avoid outdoor activities. Even healthy individuals may experience symptoms such as coughing, throat irritation, or difficulty breathing if they spend extended time outdoors. Schools, summer camps, and daycare centers are advised to move activities indoors, and outdoor sports or events should be rescheduled or moved if possible.
To help reduce air pollution and protect air quality, residents are encouraged to take small steps such as limiting vehicle use, carpooling or using public transport, refueling vehicles after sunset, and avoiding the use of gas-powered lawn tools. These simple actions can help cut down on ozone-forming emissions during this high-alert period.
People are also advised to keep windows closed, run air purifiers indoors, and use air conditioning with clean filters if available. Those with respiratory conditions should follow their doctor’s advice and keep medications on hand.
This alert is one of the most extensive statewide air quality warnings issued in Illinois this year, highlighting the growing impact of wildfire smoke from across the continent. With wildfires burning in several western states and parts of Canada, smoke continues to travel long distances and settle over the Midwest, where calm wind conditions are preventing it from clearing quickly.
The Illinois EPA and national environmental agencies are monitoring the situation closely, and updated advisories may be issued depending on weather patterns and smoke levels. Real-time air quality updates are available at airnow.gov, where residents can also sign up for alerts based on their location.
In the meantime, staying indoors and avoiding physical exertion outdoors is the safest way to protect your health during this air quality event. With more wildfire smoke expected in the coming weeks, these alerts may become more frequent, making it important for Illinois residents to stay informed and prepared.
