Haze from Canadian and Minnesota Wildfires Engulfs Northern Illinois

The morning of July 16, 2026, saw northern Illinois covered in thick haze as smoke from wildfires in Canada and Minnesota blew into the region. The National Weather Service has warned that conditions might worsen further tonight.

Visibility was severely affected across various parts of Chicago. Notable areas, such as the Austin neighborhood on the West Side, displayed a smoky haze altering the cityscape. As bikers navigated the lakeshore near the 31st Street Beach, the pervasive smoke added to the morning’s dense atmosphere.

Traveling along Interstate 290 provided a view of the skyline, which was shrouded by the dense smoke drifting in from distant wildfires. Similarly, the sun was obscured by the combination of haze and clouds, offering a muted appearance over the city.

The transit system was also impacted; the CTA “L” Green Line train journeyed through the haze-filled air permeating the Austin neighborhood. For those traveling along the Kennedy Expressway, the Chicago skyline became invisible from approximately three miles north.

Meanwhile, in Ely, Minnesota, the Camp Fire’s smoke hung in the air over Moose Lake. Multiple wildfires have led to the closure and evacuation of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, impacting activities in the region.