Chicago Faces Hazardous Air Quality Due to Canadian Wildfire Smoke
Chicago is experiencing hazardous air quality as smoke from Canadian wildfires returned to the area on Saturday night (July 18, 2026). According to IQAir, the city ranked as having the second-worst air quality globally early Sunday before dropping to fourth place later in the day. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 128 on Sunday evening, which is categorized as unhealthy for sensitive groups. Earlier in the week, Chicago recorded an unprecedented AQI of 638, breaking records for the worst air quality in Cook County's history. An air quality alert remains in effect through midnight Sunday, with conditions expected to persist into Monday. The National Weather Service (NWS) noted that potential storms on Monday night could help clear the smoke, though their development remains uncertain. 
