Air Quality Alert: Wildfire Smoke Could Reach Rockford as Ozone Levels Rise

Illinois residents are being warned that they need to be prepared for unhealthy air quality as elevated ozone and wildfire smoke are expected to affect northern Illinois through the week.

Illinois Warns of Declining Air Quality

Illinois environmental and health officials are urging residents across northern Illinois to closely monitor daily air quality as elevated ground-level ozone and wildfire smoke are expected to make conditions unhealthy.

The Chicagoland area is under an Air Pollution Action Day due to ozone levels forecast to reach the "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" category on July 15.

Wildfire Smoke Could Reach Rockford

Forecast models also indicate wildfire smoke from fires burning across North America may begin reaching northern Illinois early on Thursday before heading west toward Rockford and surrounding communities.

Air quality for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is expected to reach unhealthy levels for sensitive groups, with smoke potentially lingering into Friday and the weekend. Officials say forecasts will continue to be updated as conditions change.

Residents Urged to Take Precautions