<p>The Windy City was enveloped in smoke Thursday as air pollution from over 800 Canadian wildfires wafted through the city and suburbs.</p><p>The air contained hazardous levels of PM2.5, a particulate matter that can lodge in the lungs and cause adverse health effects, especially in immunocomprised people and those with respiratory conditions.</p><p>Some Chicagoans masked up while others spent a hazy morning swimming in Lake Michigan. </p><p>Chicago Sun-Times photojournalists were on the ground to document the city grappling with the in-your-face pollution.</p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center> <div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop=""> <figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-830005" name="image-830005"></a> <picture data-crop="medium"> <source type="image/webp" width="490" height="275" data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/43ac7b7/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6052x3397+0+319/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F75%2F69%2Fb18f2b83416995c0f43aff9fee08%2Fairqualityalert-260717-9.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/686fae6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6052x3397+0+319/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F75%2F69%2Fb18f2b83416995c0f43aff9fee08%2Fairqualityalert-260717-9.jpg 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" /> <source width="490" height="275" data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/bd19e24/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6052x3397+0+319/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F75%2F69%2Fb18f2b83416995c0f43aff9fee08%2Fairqualityalert-260717-9.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" /> <img class="Image" alt="The Chicago Theatre sign is obscured by smoke from the wildfires in Canada on Thursday, July 16, 2026." srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/bd19e24/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6052x3397+0+319/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F75%2F69%2Fb18f2b83416995c0f43aff9fee08%2Fairqualityalert-260717-9.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/6115467/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6052x3397+0+319/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F75%2F69%2Fb18f2b83416995c0f43aff9fee08%2Fairqualityalert-260717-9.jpg 2x" width="490" height="275" data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/bd19e24/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6052x3397+0+319/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F75%2F69%2Fb18f2b83416995c0f43aff9fee08%2Fairqualityalert-260717-9.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" > </picture> <div class="Figure-content"><figcaption class="Figure-caption"><p>The Chicago Theatre sign is obscured by smoke from the wildfires in Canada on Thursday.</p></figcaption><span class="line"></span><div class="Figure-credit"><p>Pat Nabong/Sun-Times</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center> <div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop=""> <figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-830001" name="image-830001"></a> <picture data-crop="medium"> <source type="image/webp" width="490" height="275" data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/fa622b2/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5296x2972+0+279/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F6d%2Ff0%2F0e979e2b4d4f9e32f5590f6a4a97%2Fairqualityalert-260717-2.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/2d7bd19/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5296x2972+0+279/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F6d%2Ff0%2F0e979e2b4d4f9e32f5590f6a4a97%2Fairqualityalert-260717-2.jpg 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" /> <source width="490" height="275" data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/dc14220/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5296x2972+0+279/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F6d%2Ff0%2F0e979e2b4d4f9e32f5590f6a4a97%2Fairqualityalert-260717-2.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" /> <img class="Image" alt="Pedestrians wearing masks cross a street in the Loop to protect themselves from wildfire smoke coming from Canada on Thursday, July 16, 2026." srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/dc14220/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5296x2972+0+279/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F6d%2Ff0%2F0e979e2b4d4f9e32f5590f6a4a97%2Fairqualityalert-260717-2.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/955e064/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5296x2972+0+279/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F6d%2Ff0%2F0e979e2b4d4f9e32f5590f6a4a97%2Fairqualityalert-260717-2.jpg 2x" width="490" height="275" data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/dc14220/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5296x2972+0+279/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F6d%2Ff0%2F0e979e2b4d4f9e32f5590f6a4a97%2Fairqualityalert-260717-2.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" > </picture> <div class="Figure-content"><figcaption class="Figure-caption"><p>Pedestrians wearing masks cross a street in the Loop to protect themselves from wildfire smoke coming from Canada on Thursday.</p></figcaption><span class="line"></span><div class="Figure-credit"><p>Pat Nabong/Sun-Times</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center> <div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop=""> <figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-3f0001" name="image-3f0001"></a> <picture data-crop="medium"> <source type="image/webp" width="490" height="275" data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/e11d0db/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4676x2624+0+245/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F84%2F97%2F8bb429e14173ad8108f04967262e%2Fairqualityalert-260717-10.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0de9656/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4676x2624+0+245/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F84%2F97%2F8bb429e14173ad8108f04967262e%2Fairqualityalert-260717-10.JPG 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" /> <source width="490" height="275" data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/325ab89/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4676x2624+0+245/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F84%2F97%2F8bb429e14173ad8108f04967262e%2Fairqualityalert-260717-10.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" /> <img class="Image" alt="North Avenue Beach is obscured by smoke from the wildfires in Canada on Thursday, July 16, 2026." srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/325ab89/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4676x2624+0+245/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F84%2F97%2F8bb429e14173ad8108f04967262e%2Fairqualityalert-260717-10.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/bcef6e8/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4676x2624+0+245/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F84%2F97%2F8bb429e14173ad8108f04967262e%2Fairqualityalert-260717-10.JPG 2x" width="490" height="275" data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/325ab89/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4676x2624+0+245/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F84%2F97%2F8bb429e14173ad8108f04967262e%2Fairqualityalert-260717-10.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" > </picture> <div class="Figure-content"><figcaption class="Figure-caption"><p>North Avenue Beach is obscured by smoke from the wildfires in Canada on Thursday. The poor air quality and high levels of airborne pollution led the city to close beaches along Lake Michigan.</p></figcaption><span class="line"></span><div class="Figure-credit"><p>Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center> <div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop=""> <figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-83000a" name="image-83000a"></a> <picture data-crop="medium"> <source type="image/webp" width="490" height="275" data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/8407ad7/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3785x2124+0+199/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fc5%2Fd9%2Fe43d236445c2919d2bc3a3271d8d%2Fairqualityalert-260717.jpg 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alt="A swimmer in Lake Michigan near Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary on Thursday, July 26, 2026." srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/31b7d15/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3785x2124+0+199/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fc5%2Fd9%2Fe43d236445c2919d2bc3a3271d8d%2Fairqualityalert-260717.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0eb4b76/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3785x2124+0+199/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fc5%2Fd9%2Fe43d236445c2919d2bc3a3271d8d%2Fairqualityalert-260717.jpg 2x" width="490" height="275" data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/31b7d15/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3785x2124+0+199/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fc5%2Fd9%2Fe43d236445c2919d2bc3a3271d8d%2Fairqualityalert-260717.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" > </picture> <div class="Figure-content"><figcaption class="Figure-caption"><p>A swimmer in Lake Michigan near Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary as air quality drops Thursday.</p></figcaption><span class="line"></span><div class="Figure-credit"><p>Pat Nabong/Sun-Times</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center> <div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop=""> <figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-3d0000" name="image-3d0000"></a> <picture data-crop="medium"> <source type="image/webp" width="490" height="275" 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data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c76078f/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5374x3016+0+282/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fae%2Fee%2Fb1cdb18146d5b35bc89d6f1bbf9c%2Fairqualityalert-260717-01.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" /> <img class="Image" alt="Navy Pier is covered in smoke from the wildfires in Canada on Thursday." srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c76078f/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5374x3016+0+282/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fae%2Fee%2Fb1cdb18146d5b35bc89d6f1bbf9c%2Fairqualityalert-260717-01.jpg 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class="Figure-credit"><p>Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center> <div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop=""> <figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-830004" name="image-830004"></a> <picture data-crop="medium"> <source type="image/webp" width="490" height="275" data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ab8a296/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2889x1621+0+152/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F65%2Fb3%2Fd852b5e64bd2a9b9be68ad0a2333%2Fairqualityalert-260717-7.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d595e1b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2889x1621+0+152/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F65%2Fb3%2Fd852b5e64bd2a9b9be68ad0a2333%2Fairqualityalert-260717-7.jpg 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" /> <source width="490" height="275" data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/11b241f/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2889x1621+0+152/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F65%2Fb3%2Fd852b5e64bd2a9b9be68ad0a2333%2Fairqualityalert-260717-7.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" /> <img class="Image" alt="A pedestrian crosses the street while covering her nose in the Loop as air quality drops Thursday, July 16, 2026." srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/11b241f/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2889x1621+0+152/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F65%2Fb3%2Fd852b5e64bd2a9b9be68ad0a2333%2Fairqualityalert-260717-7.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/62fd120/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2889x1621+0+152/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F65%2Fb3%2Fd852b5e64bd2a9b9be68ad0a2333%2Fairqualityalert-260717-7.jpg 2x" width="490" height="275" data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/11b241f/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2889x1621+0+152/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F65%2Fb3%2Fd852b5e64bd2a9b9be68ad0a2333%2Fairqualityalert-260717-7.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" > </picture> <div class="Figure-content"><figcaption class="Figure-caption"><p>A pedestrian crosses the street while covering her nose in the Loop as air quality drops Thursday.</p></figcaption><span class="line"></span><div class="Figure-credit"><p>Pat Nabong/Sun-Times</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center> <div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop=""> <figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-830003" name="image-830003"></a> <picture data-crop="medium"> <source type="image/webp" width="490" height="275" data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0d5b9f1/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5900x3311+0+311/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F6a%2F0a%2Fb163821343bd8b880905d44a09f8%2Fairqualityalert-260717-5.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d7cc042/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5900x3311+0+311/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F6a%2F0a%2Fb163821343bd8b880905d44a09f8%2Fairqualityalert-260717-5.jpg 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" /> <source width="490" height="275" data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/60e1799/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5900x3311+0+311/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F6a%2F0a%2Fb163821343bd8b880905d44a09f8%2Fairqualityalert-260717-5.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" /> <img class="Image" alt="A commuter wearing a mask waits for a bus Thursday, July 16, 2026 on West 26th Street in Little Village as air quality drops." srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/60e1799/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5900x3311+0+311/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F6a%2F0a%2Fb163821343bd8b880905d44a09f8%2Fairqualityalert-260717-5.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/fbd399b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5900x3311+0+311/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F6a%2F0a%2Fb163821343bd8b880905d44a09f8%2Fairqualityalert-260717-5.jpg 2x" width="490" height="275" data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/60e1799/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5900x3311+0+311/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F6a%2F0a%2Fb163821343bd8b880905d44a09f8%2Fairqualityalert-260717-5.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" > </picture> <div class="Figure-content"><figcaption class="Figure-caption"><p>A commuter wearing a mask waits for a bus Thursday on West 26th Street in Little Village as air quality drops.</p></figcaption><span class="line"></span><div class="Figure-credit"><p>Pat Nabong/Sun-Times</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center> <div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop=""> <figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-830002" name="image-830002"></a> <picture data-crop="medium"> <source type="image/webp" width="490" height="275" data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3d23421/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4874x2735+0+257/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F7b%2Fee%2F5e4e400840aebb8f105bba1a1ebf%2Fairqualityalert-260717-4.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a414bc/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4874x2735+0+257/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F7b%2Fee%2F5e4e400840aebb8f105bba1a1ebf%2Fairqualityalert-260717-4.jpg 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" /> <source width="490" height="275" data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/2054d2a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4874x2735+0+257/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F7b%2Fee%2F5e4e400840aebb8f105bba1a1ebf%2Fairqualityalert-260717-4.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" /> <img class="Image" alt="The Chicago Board of Trade building in the Loop is obscured by smoke from wildfires in Canada on Thursday, July 16, 2026." srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/2054d2a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4874x2735+0+257/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F7b%2Fee%2F5e4e400840aebb8f105bba1a1ebf%2Fairqualityalert-260717-4.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1aa2269/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4874x2735+0+257/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F7b%2Fee%2F5e4e400840aebb8f105bba1a1ebf%2Fairqualityalert-260717-4.jpg 2x" width="490" height="275" data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/2054d2a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4874x2735+0+257/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F7b%2Fee%2F5e4e400840aebb8f105bba1a1ebf%2Fairqualityalert-260717-4.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" > </picture> <div class="Figure-content"><figcaption class="Figure-caption"><p>The Chicago Board of Trade building in the Loop is obscured by smoke from wildfires in Canada on Thursday.</p></figcaption><span class="line"></span><div class="Figure-credit"><p>Pat Nabong/Sun-Times</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center> <div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop=""> <figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-830006" name="image-830006"></a> <picture data-crop="medium"> <source type="image/webp" width="490" height="275" data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/395783b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5475x3073+0+289/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F76%2F00%2Ff12ed10545d9b4fd6d5525fafe60%2Fairqualityalert-260717-17.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/49eb230/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5475x3073+0+289/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F76%2F00%2Ff12ed10545d9b4fd6d5525fafe60%2Fairqualityalert-260717-17.JPG 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" /> <source width="490" height="275" data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1d0fbb8/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5475x3073+0+289/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F76%2F00%2Ff12ed10545d9b4fd6d5525fafe60%2Fairqualityalert-260717-17.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" /> <img class="Image" alt="Buildings on Michigan Avenue are obscured by smoke from wildfires in Canada on Thursday, July 16, 2026." srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1d0fbb8/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5475x3073+0+289/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F76%2F00%2Ff12ed10545d9b4fd6d5525fafe60%2Fairqualityalert-260717-17.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/fbe1e50/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5475x3073+0+289/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F76%2F00%2Ff12ed10545d9b4fd6d5525fafe60%2Fairqualityalert-260717-17.JPG 2x" width="490" height="275" data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1d0fbb8/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5475x3073+0+289/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F76%2F00%2Ff12ed10545d9b4fd6d5525fafe60%2Fairqualityalert-260717-17.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" > </picture> <div class="Figure-content"><figcaption class="Figure-caption"><p>Buildings on Michigan Avenue are obscured by smoke from wildfires in Canada on Thursday.</p></figcaption><span class="line"></span><div class="Figure-credit"><p>Pat Nabong/Sun-Times</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center> <div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop=""> <figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-620000" name="image-620000"></a> <picture data-crop="medium"> <source type="image/webp" width="490" height="275" data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/58a08e3/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4691x2633+0+246/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Feb%2Fe8%2Ff2b8bf4546a2ab88dd5328f1e5ba%2Fairqualityalert-260717-06.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/08a06a9/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4691x2633+0+246/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Feb%2Fe8%2Ff2b8bf4546a2ab88dd5328f1e5ba%2Fairqualityalert-260717-06.jpg 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" /> <source width="490" height="275" data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ff81710/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4691x2633+0+246/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Feb%2Fe8%2Ff2b8bf4546a2ab88dd5328f1e5ba%2Fairqualityalert-260717-06.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" /> <img class="Image" alt="Smoke from the wildfires in Canada obscure the Chicago skyline near Navy Pier." srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ff81710/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4691x2633+0+246/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Feb%2Fe8%2Ff2b8bf4546a2ab88dd5328f1e5ba%2Fairqualityalert-260717-06.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/bff26ff/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4691x2633+0+246/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Feb%2Fe8%2Ff2b8bf4546a2ab88dd5328f1e5ba%2Fairqualityalert-260717-06.jpg 2x" width="490" height="275" data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ff81710/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4691x2633+0+246/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Feb%2Fe8%2Ff2b8bf4546a2ab88dd5328f1e5ba%2Fairqualityalert-260717-06.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" > </picture> <div class="Figure-content"><figcaption class="Figure-caption"><p>Smoke from the wildfires in Canada obscure the Chicago skyline near Navy Pier on Thursday.</p></figcaption><span class="line"></span><div class="Figure-credit"><p>Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center> <div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop=""> <figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-060002" name="image-060002"></a> <picture data-crop="medium"> <source type="image/webp" width="490" height="275" data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/75da8a7/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6230x3496+0+329/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F51%2Ff1%2F91e0000f4e75880e9cae963f85f7%2Fairqualityalert-260717-003.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/8d7a499/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6230x3496+0+329/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F51%2Ff1%2F91e0000f4e75880e9cae963f85f7%2Fairqualityalert-260717-003.JPG 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" /> <source width="490" height="275" data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/68f09c8/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6230x3496+0+329/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F51%2Ff1%2F91e0000f4e75880e9cae963f85f7%2Fairqualityalert-260717-003.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" /> <img class="Image" alt="A masked commuter waiting in Greater Grand Crossing on Thursday, July 16, 2026, a day of poor air conditions across the greater Chicago area." srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/68f09c8/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6230x3496+0+329/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F51%2Ff1%2F91e0000f4e75880e9cae963f85f7%2Fairqualityalert-260717-003.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/e67a60b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6230x3496+0+329/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F51%2Ff1%2F91e0000f4e75880e9cae963f85f7%2Fairqualityalert-260717-003.JPG 2x" width="490" height="275" data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/68f09c8/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6230x3496+0+329/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F51%2Ff1%2F91e0000f4e75880e9cae963f85f7%2Fairqualityalert-260717-003.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" > </picture> <div class="Figure-content"><figcaption class="Figure-caption"><p>A commuter wears a mask while waiting in Greater Grand Crossing on Thursday, a day of poor air conditions across the greater Chicago area.</p></figcaption><span class="line"></span><div class="Figure-credit"><p>Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center> <div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop=""> <figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-060000" name="image-060000"></a> <picture data-crop="medium"> <source type="image/webp" width="490" height="275" data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/e1af8ec/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7647x4292+0+404/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ffa%2F3d%2F5173e700404693a2902f8d7d17b3%2Fairqualityalert-260717-001.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/18e990e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7647x4292+0+404/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ffa%2F3d%2F5173e700404693a2902f8d7d17b3%2Fairqualityalert-260717-001.JPG 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" /> <source width="490" height="275" data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b150d3f/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7647x4292+0+404/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ffa%2F3d%2F5173e700404693a2902f8d7d17b3%2Fairqualityalert-260717-001.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" /> <img class="Image" alt="Bronzeville is obscured by smoke from the wildfires in Canada on Thursday, July 16, 2026." srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b150d3f/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7647x4292+0+404/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ffa%2F3d%2F5173e700404693a2902f8d7d17b3%2Fairqualityalert-260717-001.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0b8cbc8/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7647x4292+0+404/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ffa%2F3d%2F5173e700404693a2902f8d7d17b3%2Fairqualityalert-260717-001.JPG 2x" width="490" height="275" data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b150d3f/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7647x4292+0+404/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Ffa%2F3d%2F5173e700404693a2902f8d7d17b3%2Fairqualityalert-260717-001.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" > </picture> <div class="Figure-content"><figcaption class="Figure-caption"><p>Bronzeville is obscured by smoke from the wildfires in Canada on Thursday.</p></figcaption><span class="line"></span><div class="Figure-credit"><p>Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center> <div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop=""> <figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-830008" name="image-830008"></a> <picture data-crop="medium"> <source type="image/webp" width="490" height="275" data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/feff332/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6309x3541+0+333/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F98%2Fb1%2F200e118e40f4b471992aa5681a5c%2Fairqualityalert-260717-25.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1894295/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6309x3541+0+333/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F98%2Fb1%2F200e118e40f4b471992aa5681a5c%2Fairqualityalert-260717-25.JPG 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" /> <source width="490" height="275" data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/86cdcfd/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6309x3541+0+333/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F98%2Fb1%2F200e118e40f4b471992aa5681a5c%2Fairqualityalert-260717-25.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" /> <img class="Image" alt="Michigan Avenue buildings obscured by smoke from wildfires in Canada on Thursday, July 16, 2026." srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/86cdcfd/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6309x3541+0+333/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F98%2Fb1%2F200e118e40f4b471992aa5681a5c%2Fairqualityalert-260717-25.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/8c2520d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6309x3541+0+333/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F98%2Fb1%2F200e118e40f4b471992aa5681a5c%2Fairqualityalert-260717-25.JPG 2x" width="490" height="275" data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/86cdcfd/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6309x3541+0+333/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F98%2Fb1%2F200e118e40f4b471992aa5681a5c%2Fairqualityalert-260717-25.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" > </picture> <div class="Figure-content"><figcaption class="Figure-caption"><p>Michigan Avenue buildings obscured by smoke from wildfires in Canada on Thursday,</p></figcaption><span class="line"></span><div class="Figure-credit"><p>Pat Nabong/Sun-Times</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center> <div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop=""> <figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-c80000" name="image-c80000"></a> <picture data-crop="medium"> <source type="image/webp" width="490" height="275" data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b917e32/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+324/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F88%2F2e%2F98f10cbe44a09fb356a88245f2a0%2Fairqualityalert-260717-15.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/2cc61f6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+324/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F88%2F2e%2F98f10cbe44a09fb356a88245f2a0%2Fairqualityalert-260717-15.jpg 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" /> <source width="490" height="275" data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/48fcb98/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+324/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F88%2F2e%2F98f10cbe44a09fb356a88245f2a0%2Fairqualityalert-260717-15.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" /> <img class="Image" alt="Wildfire smoke covers the city as viewed from Lincoln Park, Thursday, July 16, 2026.