Rockford area air quality in ‘red zone’ due to Canadian wildfires

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — The Stateline’s air quality continues to stay in the red zone because of active wildfires in Canada.

“Big area of high pressure is kind of moved in over our local region. You actually may have noticed that it’s gotten a lot cooler,” said Meteorologist Lee Carlaw for Chicago’s National Weather Service.

Carlaw explained that the red levels that people are seeing are considered unhealthy.

“The red level is basically level four out of six there on that scale,” Carlaw continued.

“When you hear that parts of Chicago are having the worst air quality in the world, I mean, that should be taken seriously,” said Mercy Health Alpine Doctor Waqas Ahmad.

Ahmad urges those to stay inside in these conditions. He said healthy or not, one could experience side effects.

Ahmad said, “Those who are avid exercisers who would go outside or run, I would advise against that until the air quality improves. Be indoors as much as you can.”

If you have to go outside and have breathing issues, he urged residents to wear a mask.

Eyewitness News meteorologists say the air quality might improve within the next few days, but could linger into the weekend.