Evanston Beaches Closed, Concert Canceled Due To Air Quality Alert

EVANSTON, IL — City officials closed Evanston's beaches Tuesday due to an air quality alert in the area.

Smoke from hundreds of Canadian wildfires has pushed the air quality index, or AQI, into the "very unhealthy" level in large portions of the Midwest, according to environmental officials.

As of 2 p.m., the AQI in Evanston was 250.

Everyone should reduce outdoor activity. And anyone with lung or respiratory disease, such as asthma should avoid any intense outdoor activities, according to an alert from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the National Weather Service.

Evanston fire officials recommended staying inside and reducing exposure to outdoor air.

The Starlight Concert planned for Tuesday night at Baker Park has been canceled, with a rescheduled date to be announced.

Chicago had the worst air quality of any major city in the world Tuesday, per the World Air Quality Index. It was followed by Detroit and Minneapolis, two other cities affected by the Canadian wildfires, according to the Swiss air quality tracker.

For those that must go outside, environmental officials recommend wearing N95 masks. Surgical masks will not provide adequate protection against particulate matter from wildfires.

The air quality alert is in effect through midnight.

Earlier: Wildfire Smoke Causes Unhealthy Air Quality In Chicago Area