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A Canadian wildfire smoke plume has triggered an air quality alert in the Chicago area until Thursday. The Illinois EPA declared an "Air Pollution Action Day", urging vulnerable groups like children and those with respiratory illnesses to limit outdoor activities. Unhealthy air conditions are also affecting parts of the Midwest, with the Minneapolis-St. Paul area experiencing "very unhealthy" air quality. The alert covers northern and northeast Illinois and Northwest Indiana. Real-time air quality updates are available on the AirNow website. Canada is experiencing a severe wildfire season, with thousands of evacuations underway.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.