As wildfires continue to rage in western Canada, the Environmental Protection Agency issued its first alert of the year for the Chicago area. The EPA is warning wildfire smoke will cause particle pollution on Thursday. This can bring potential health hazards to anyone with respiratory or pulmonary disorders.

An air quality alert remains in effect for the entire Chicago area, with another "Air Pollution Action Day" alert declared as wildfire smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to impact parts of the Midwest.