Smoky skies in downtown Chicago

Canadian wildfire smoke moves into Chicago skyline - July 2026

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That air quality alert will now run through at least Friday night according to NWS officials, with residents urged to take precautions to limit their exposure to airborne particulates. In addition, the Illinois EPA has issued what it’s calling a “Red Forecast Air Pollution Action Day” for the area Thursday and into Friday. Even as the wildfire smoke moves out of the area, next week could see a return of those conditions, as winds will shift out of the north, bringing cooler air into the region a