Currently, thousands of acres are burning in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba due to wildfires. The situation is expected to have an impact on Chicago today.
According to an Accuweather advisory, smoky haze is anticipated to spread across Chicago in the coming days.
Wildfire smoke in Chicago
AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham stated:
There will be episodes where the smoke can reach the lower levels of the atmosphere and affect visibility and air quality. That could be a safety concern for travel in extreme cases and pose health problems for some individuals with respiratory issues.
What to do if you’re exposed to wildfire smoke
The best way to avoid inhaling harmful particles is to stay indoors. When air quality becomes hazardous due to wildfire smoke in Chicago, the most effective way to minimize exposure is to stay indoors with windows and doors closed.
In addition to Chicago, states like Wisconsin and Minnesota are already experiencing the effects of the smoke.