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Wildfire Smoke Triggers Air Quality Alerts Across 9 Midwest States
3 Aug
Summary
- Air quality alerts issued for 9 states due to Canadian wildfire smoke
- Residents advised to combine errands, limit driving to reduce pollution
- Smoke resulted in Chicago having "worst air quality in the world" for hours
On August 3, 2025, air quality alerts were in effect across nine states in the Midwest and Northeast United States due to the influx of wildfire smoke from neighboring Canada. The National Weather Service (NWS) and local agencies had issued these advisories, warning residents of potentially hazardous levels of fine particulate pollution.
The affected states included Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, New York, Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire. In Indiana, the alerts covered over a million residents across several counties, urging them to take measures to reduce pollution, such as avoiding drive-thru lanes and combining multiple errands into a single trip. Authorities also suggested that locals walk, bike, or use public transportation whenever possible to limit vehicle use.
This air quality crisis was a result of wildfire smoke from Canada drifting into the United States. Just a few days prior, on August 1st, AccuWeather had reported that the smoke had caused Chicago to have "the worst air quality in the world for several hours," blanketing the city's skyline in haze.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), exposure to such particle pollution can lead to various health issues, including respiratory symptoms, the development of asthma, and increased susceptibility to infections. As the situation continues to unfold, the NWS will provide regular updates on its website to keep the public informed.
