Chicago, IL – Wildfire smoke blanketing much of the Midwest is turning skies hazy and raising air quality concerns across multiple states through Sunday, prompting health warnings from officials.
According to the US National Weather Service and local agencies, satellite data shows thick plumes of smoke aloft drifting from western wildfires into Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, Indiana, and Michigan. Some of this smoke will reach the surface, reducing visibility on highways such as I-35, I-70, and I-94, and causing air quality levels to drop, especially in urban centers like Chicago, Minneapolis, St. Louis, Des Moines, and Milwaukee.
Residents in these areas may notice milky, muted skies and a lingering smell of smoke outdoors. Those with asthma, COPD, or heart conditions are strongly advised to avoid prolonged outdoor activities, keep windows shut, and use HEPA air filters if available. Health departments urge everyone to monitor local air quality indexes and limit exertion, especially during the afternoon and evening hours when smoke concentrations are expected to peak…