Photos: This is how bad the air in Chicago is right now

The Windy City was enveloped in smoke Thursday as air pollution from over 800 Canadian wildfires wafted through the city and suburbs.

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.

Some Chicagoans masked up while others spent a hazy morning swimming in Lake Michigan.

Chicago Sun-Times photojournalists were on the ground to document the city grappling with the in-your-face pollution.

The Chicago Theatre sign is obscured by smoke from the wildfires in Canada on Thursday, July 16, 2026.

The Chicago Theatre sign is obscured by smoke from the wildfires in Canada on Thursday.

Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

Pedestrians wearing masks cross a street in the Loop to protect themselves from wildfire smoke coming from Canada on Thursday, July 16, 2026.

Pedestrians wearing masks cross a street in the Loop to protect themselves from wildfire smoke coming from Canada on Thursday.

Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

North Avenue Beach is obscured by smoke from the wildfires in Canada on Thursday, July 16, 2026.

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.

Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

A swimmer in Lake Michigan near Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary on Thursday, July 26, 2026.

A swimmer in Lake Michigan near Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary as air quality drops Thursday.

Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

Navy Pier is covered in smoke from the wildfires in Canada on Thursday.

Navy Pier is covered in smoke from the wildfires in Canada on Thursday.

Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

A pedestrian crosses the street while covering her nose in the Loop as air quality drops Thursday, July 16, 2026.

A pedestrian crosses the street while covering her nose in the Loop as air quality drops Thursday.

Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

A commuter wearing a mask waits for a bus Thursday, July 16, 2026 on West 26th Street in Little Village as air quality drops.

A commuter wearing a mask waits for a bus Thursday on West 26th Street in Little Village as air quality drops.

Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

The Chicago Board of Trade building in the Loop is obscured by smoke from wildfires in Canada on Thursday, July 16, 2026.

The Chicago Board of Trade building in the Loop is obscured by smoke from wildfires in Canada on Thursday.

Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

Buildings on Michigan Avenue are obscured by smoke from wildfires in Canada on Thursday, July 16, 2026.

Buildings on Michigan Avenue are obscured by smoke from wildfires in Canada on Thursday.

Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

Smoke from the wildfires in Canada obscure the Chicago skyline near Navy Pier.

Smoke from the wildfires in Canada obscure the Chicago skyline near Navy Pier on Thursday.

Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

A masked commuter waiting in Greater Grand Crossing on Thursday, July 16, 2026, a day of poor air conditions across the greater Chicago area.

A commuter wears a mask while waiting in Greater Grand Crossing on Thursday, a day of poor air conditions across the greater Chicago area.

Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times

Bronzeville is obscured by smoke from the wildfires in Canada on Thursday, July 16, 2026.

Bronzeville is obscured by smoke from the wildfires in Canada on Thursday.

Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times

Michigan Avenue buildings obscured by smoke from wildfires in Canada on Thursday, July 16, 2026.

Michigan Avenue buildings obscured by smoke from wildfires in Canada on Thursday,

Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

Wildfire smoke covers the city as viewed from Lincoln Park, Thursday, July 16, 2026.

Wildfire smoke covers the city as viewed from Lincoln Park on Thursday.

Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

Lincoln Park obscured by smoke from the wildfires in Canada on Thursday, July 16, 2026.

Lincoln Park obscured by smoke from the wildfires in Canada on Thursday.

Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

A masked woman in Greater Grand Crossing on Thursday, July 16, 2026. That neighborhood, like others across Chicago, was enveloped by smoke from the wildfires in Canada.

A masked woman in Greater Grand Crossing on Thursday. That neighborhood, like others across Chicago, was enveloped by smoke from the wildfires in Canada.

Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times

Smoke in Grant Park from Canadian wildfires, causing air quality to drop across Chicago on Thursday, July 16, 2026.

Smoke in Grant Park from Canadian wildfires, causing air quality to drop across Chicago on Thursday.

Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

Nick Bradbury, who is visiting from Tennessee, wears a mask while walking in the Loop to protect himself from smoke from wildfires in Canada on Thursday.

Nick Bradbury, who is visiting from Tennessee, wears a mask while walking in the Loop to protect himself from smoke from wildfires in Canada on Thursday.

Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

Smoke from the wildfires in Canada obscure the Chicago skyline Thursday.

Smoke from the wildfires in Canada obscure the Chicago skyline Thursday.

Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

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