Air quality conditions remained hazardous or very unhealthy throughout Lake County late Friday morning as officials from the U.S. National Weather Service and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) expected conditions to ease temporarily before spiking again on Saturday.
Smoke from wildfires in the Canadian province of Ontario began blowing into Lake County overnight Wednesday into Thursday, creating health hazards for many, and prompting the cancellation of activities throughout the area and the closure of popular destinations.
Zachary Yack, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Romeoville, said he has not seen smoke conditions like those this week in his five years working in the area.
“This smoke is as bad as I’ve ever seen it since I moved here,” he said.
Kim Biggs, the public information officer for the IEPA, said in an email that the Air Quality Index (AQI) was created in 1995 and the agency has kept statistics for the past 22 years.
“Illinois has hit ‘Very Unhealthy’ or ‘Purple’ on the AQI three times since 2005, twice in 2023 and yesterday,” Biggs said. “All three instances have been attributable to the effects of wildfires.
With the AQI remaining high, activities were curtailed in the area. Places like Six Flags Great America, the Waukegan Municipal Beach and the Waukegan Park District’s Splash Zone remained closed for a second day.
Yack said Friday morning that winds from the Canadian wildfires blew the smoke into Lake County and other parts of Chicagoland. They were expected to dissipate Friday afternoon, but could return Saturday.
“The winds in Ontario pushed the smoke from the fires south and southeast into the Great Lakes,” Yack said. “It will last until they shift to the northeast and move into Michigan, Ohio and points east.”
Though there is some uncertainty about how winds out of Canada could shift again, Yack said it might happen again Saturday, bringing the smoke back to the Chicago area and Lake County.
Biggs said the IEPA had downgraded the AQI from “hazardous” to “very unhealthy” by midmorning Friday, but in some areas it could remain hazardous, “to help highlight areas and timeframes of greater concern.”
As of noon Friday, Waukegan had an AQI of 345, North Chicago 357, Zion 318, Highland Park 411, Barrington 329, Round Lake 316 and Buffalo Grove 352. Anything over 301 is hazardous, according to the AirNow website.
When winds blow smoke into an area, Biggs said it brings particulates of smoke into the atmosphere, which people unknowingly breathe into their bodies.
Emily Young, a spokesperson for the Lake County Health Department, said in an email that there are fine particulates and coarse particulates.
“Fine particulates are able to enter your body, lungs, and bloodstream,” Young said. “Coarse particulates are not able to enter the bloodstream or go as deep into the lungs. They can cause upper respiratory issues like coughing, sneezing, and irritation.”
Young recommends people limit their time outdoors as much as possible and avoid strenuous activity if they go outside. People should consider wearing an N95 or N100 mask, as many did during the coronavirus pandemic. Pets need care, too.
“While air quality remains poor, limit time outdoors for pets as well,” Young said. “Do not leave animals outdoors and unattended. Monitor animals for respiratory distress and discuss any concerning symptoms with your pet’s veterinarian.”
Biggs said precautions apply to everyone when the AQI is hazardous. When it is “very unhealthy,” sensitive groups should take all precautions. During “unhealthy” conditions, people with sensitive conditions should avoid physical activity outdoors.
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David Motley, Waukegan’s public relations director, said the beach was going to remain closed on Friday and that people were encouraged to stay indoors. People who must work outside, like police officers, firefighters and members of the public works department, are doing so with caution.
“Our staff is doing mostly indoor work,” Motley said. “Police and fire have advanced recirculating filtration systems in their vehicles. If they leave their vehicles, they will use filtration masks.”
Shelby McDonald, the Park District’s director of marketing and community relations, said all activities on Friday were indoors. The Splash Zone remained closed for a second day
Waukegan Township Supervisor Marc Jones said the Home Sweet Home lawn care service did not cut lawns on Thursday and was not mowing them on Friday. He hopes the Food Truck Festival between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday at Corrine Rose Park will take place.
“We are monitoring the air quality and, as of now, based on projections, we anticipate we will proceed,” Jones said.
While the beaches are closed in Waukegan and other places along Lake Michigan, Tim Grimscheid of the Illinois Beach State Park in Zion said the beach was open but urged people to be cautious with the air quality as it is.
“We have several beaches with multiple entrances,” Grim Grimscheid said. “We have a campground which is open.”
In North Chicago, Chief of Staff Greg Jackson said people whose work takes them outside are taking precautions. They remain outside for no more than 90 minutes or a little longer before taking a break.
“They come inside, get hydrated and catch their breath,” Jackson said. “Then they go out and repeat the cycle.