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Air quality in Quad Cities currently unhealthy due to Canadian wildfire smoke

Most of the Quad Cities metro area has unhealthy air quality as of Thursday evening.

DAVENPORT, Iowa —

The air quality in eastern Iowa, including parts of the Quad Cities, has been labeled "unhealthy," according to a press release from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The poor air quality is a result of smoke moving down from wildfires in eastern and northwestern Canada, leading to fine particles in the air. 

As of Thursday evening, Clinton has the third worst air quality in the country and Davenport is in sixth. 

Smoke may linger in the area until "a significant weather system sweeps it out of the area," according to the press release. When an area is under unhealthy air conditions, it is recommended to limit outdoor exertion for all groups, not just those with sensitivities. 

The photo below - from the Environmental Protection Agency's AirNow - shows the level of air quality over the area. The map photo is from 3 p.m. Thursday, June 15 and could have changed. 

Credit: EPA AirNow

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