The City of Evanston closed swimming areas at all beaches Thursday, July 16, after wildfire smoke from Canada pushed the region's air quality into the "Very Unhealthy" range on the EPA's Air Quality Index.
Particulate matter levels in the Chicago area reached an AQI reading of 248 on Thursday morning, according to the Chicago Tribune. That far exceeded the "orange" forecast the Illinois EPA had issued a day earlier, which predicted conditions merely "unhealthy for sensitive groups." As of 9 a.m., Chicago ranked as the fourth most-polluted major city among those tracked by Swiss air quality monitoring firm IQAir, behind Detroit, Toronto, and Minneapolis.
All Evanston beaches are closed indefinitely. The closures come during peak summer season, which runs through Labor Day, Monday, September 7. According to the city's beach closure notice, outdoor activities including swimming, sunbathing, and recreational sports are not recommended until conditions improve.
Who is most at risk
The city's notice identifies children, older adults, pregnant individuals, and people with asthma, heart disease, or other respiratory conditions as the groups facing the greatest danger from the smoky air.
The Illinois EPA recommended that all residents limit physical activity outside when the AQI exceeds 150 and keep windows and doors closed indoors.
If conditions reach "red" levels, the state agency advises residents to:
- Stay indoors with windows and doors closed
- Set air conditioners to recirculate rather than draw in outside air
- Use high-efficiency filters in air conditioning systems
- Avoid indoor activities that create particulate matter, such as smoking or burning candles
- Wear an N-95 or N-100 mask if outdoor activity cannot be avoided
What's causing the smoke
The smoke is drifting south from roughly 850 wildfires burning across Canada, with 112 considered out of control, according to Forbes. More than 180 active fires are burning in northern Ontario alone, and additional fires in northern Minnesota are contributing to the haze, according to The Guardian. Air quality alerts have been issued in more than 20 states.
The National Weather Service said its models showed smoke stalling near the I-90 and I-88 corridors by daybreak Thursday before expanding across the region.
"We recommend residents get into the habit of checking the daily Air Quality Index at the same time you check the weather each morning, especially if you are part of a sensitive group such as having asthma or another lung disease," Illinois EPA Director James M. Jennings said Tuesday, July 15, as the agency issued its initial forecast.
When beaches will reopen
No specific reopening date has been announced. The city's notice states closures will remain in effect until air quality improves to levels considered safe for public recreation, and that officials are monitoring conditions. Updates will be posted on the city's Beach Status and Closings page at cityofevanston.org.
Residents can check real-time air quality at AirNow.gov or through the AIRNow mobile app.
