This better not be deliberate…but it sure looks that way. In our 7 decades here in Chicago, in only the last 5 years has wildfire smoke wreaked such air quality havoc.

Written by Michael E Dehn

Founder and CEO of Metro Pulse a continually running enterprise since May 1980.

July 17, 2026

⚠️🚨 FORGET EVERY WILDFIRE YOU’VE EVER SEEN.
✈️This looks like a massive volcano eruption, but it is actually the sky over Canada right now. Pilot Scott Hatton captured this apocalyptic view from his cockpit over Thunder Bay, Ontario.

These aren't just smoke clouds—the fires… pic.twitter.com/gyfPwwQxa6
— Jeo Albant (@jeoalbant) July 16, 2026