Why does it smell like smoke outside? What to know as fires burn

Chicago-area residents may have walked outside Thursday and smelled smoke, and there’s a good reason why.

Just like last summer when wildfire smoke billowed down from Canada, smoke from ongoing wildfires is impacting air quality in the Chicago area, and the impacts could continue into Friday, according to forecast models.

As of 6 p.m. Thursday, the air quality index (AQI) in Chicago was 98, just below the threshold for being considered “unhealthy for sensitive groups.”

Still, the AQI is considered “moderate,” and residents are urged to use caution outdoors if they’re sensitive to air pollution.

According to the latest data from AirNow, there are numerous fires burning across Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas, with smoke blowing from the southwest and into the upper Midwest, impacting air quality in Illinois and Indiana.

There are also smaller wildfires closer to the Midwest, adding to the air quality issues in the area.

According to the AQI, air quality is expected to be impacted again on Friday as winds continue out of the south, with high temperatures soaring into the 60s across the region.

Winds are expected to shift out of the north Saturday, bringing an end to the air quality concerns according to forecast models. Temperatures will also be significantly cooler, dropping back into the 30s by the weekend.