Code Purple Air Quality Alert Issued for Pennsylvania; Red Forecast for Chicago Amidst Wildfire Smoke and Extreme Heat.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has declared a statewide Code Purple Air Quality Alert for Friday, July 17, due to wildfire smoke from Canada and Minnesota, leading to very unhealthy to hazardous air quality. In Chicago, the Illinois EPA has extended a Red Forecast Air Pollution Action Day through Friday, July 17, due to elevated ozone and wildfire smoke, with hot and humid conditions and heat indices near 100 degrees also expected. Similar Very Unhealthy to Hazardous air quality conditions are affecting Metro Detroit and Southeast Michigan due to Canadian wildfire smoke, with a severe storm risk returning Saturday. An Air Quality Health Advisory for Fine Particulates is also in effect for Central New York and Oneida County.