‘Unhealthy’ air quality impacting North Shore, but local outdoor events likely to continue

The National Weather Service Chicago for Northern Illinois has issued an air quality alert for northern Chicagoland, including the North Shore.

The air quality on Thursday, July 31, a result of shifting smoke from Canadian wildfires, falls under the National Weather Service’s “unhealthy” designation, meaning all individuals could experience health effects, according to NWS Chicago.

Individuals with heart or lung conditions, older adults, children and teens may be especially at risk, according to information the Wilmette Park District posted on social media.

The diminished air quality is expected to last through Friday, forecasters say.

The alert comes ahead of a summer weekend full of local events, including the Wilmette Art Fair on Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 2-3; however, the weather service expects the air quality to improve in the coming days.

According to AirNow.gov, the local air quality for Friday is expected to be “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” such as those listed above, and improved to “moderate” by Saturday.

The park district’s Facebook post recommended individuals stay hydrated and seek out shade as needed. The post also stated outdoor activities may be moved inside and extra precautions are being taken at camps and programs to ensure safety.

As of now, Wilmette’s Sound of Summer concert at the Wallace Bowl Thursday night will continue as scheduled despite the air quality alert, and the district is encouraging individuals of sensitive groups to wear a mask to the event if they choose to attend. Lakeview Center will also be open for people to take breaks inside as needed.

Highland Park’s Food Truck Thursdays will continue as scheduled as well. Musicians will play as long as they are comfortable and people can come and go from the food trucks as they please said Amanda Bennett, the city’s communications manager.

AirNow recommends that both sensitive and nonsensitive groups take precautions due to the unhealthy air quality.

Those in the sensitive group should avoid strenuous activity, limit time outside and move outdoor physical activities indoors to reduce exposure to dangerous conditions. Everyone else should choose less strenuous activities to reduce heavy breathing, limit active time spent outdoors and wait to resume outdoor physical activity until the air quality improves.

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