Wildfire Smoke Blankets Chicago as Air Quality Alert Issued With ‘Hazardous’ Levels of Pollution Expected

Source WTTW
Original Load Date July 16, 2026, 11:01 a.m.
Last Updated July 16, 2026, 11:01 a.m.
Original URL https://news.wttw.com/2026/07/16/wildfire-smoke-blankets-chicago-air-quality-alert-issued-hazardous-levels-pollution

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Wildfires burning across Canada and Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness are sending smoke across the Great Lakes, creating unhealthy to hazardous [ air quality ][2] conditions. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has issued an air pollution action day for the northeastern par...