Chicago endures the globe’s worst air quality as wildfire smoke blankets the city
TL;DR
IQAir data placed Chicago at an AQI of 402 on July 16, 2026, the highest of any major city and well into hazardous levels, driven by wildfire smoke from fires in Canada and northern Minnesota. The National Weather Service extended the air-quality alert, the Illinois EPA urged residents to stay indoors, and events were canceled as smoke is expected to linger with conditions improving only slowly into Friday.
- Chicago air quality the worst in the world due to wildfire smoke, data shows NBC 5 Chicago
- Maps: Tracking Air Quality and Smoke From Wildfires in Canada and the U.S. The New York Times
- Chicago's Air Quality Worst in World as Canadian Wildfire Smoke Engulfs City Yahoo
- Maps show wildfire smoke forecast, air quality alerts due to pollution from Canadian, Minnesota fires CBS News
- 15 Fury Alert Day issued for very unhealthy air WANE 15
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Read on NBC 5 Chicago