Six Flags Great America and Hurricane Harbor Close Due to Wildfire Smoke

Six Flags Great America and Hurricane Harbor Chicago in Gurnee, Illinois, closed on Friday, July 17, 2026, because of unhealthy air quality caused by smoke from Canadian wildfires. A Six Flags spokesperson said the decision followed guidance from weather and safety experts. The company added that it would monitor conditions and planned to reopen the parks on Saturday as scheduled.

An air quality alert remained in effect across the Chicago area through Saturday night. Chicago's Air Quality Index reached the hazardous category on Friday morning before improving to unhealthy. On Thursday the city recorded the worst air quality of any major city in the world.

Canada reported 859 active wildfires as of Thursday, including 113 classified as out of control. Smoke from fires in northern Ontario drifted south and affected large parts of the United States, including the Great Lakes, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, exposing more than 100 million people to unhealthy air.

New York City ranked fourth among major cities worldwide for worst air quality on Friday, according to IQAir.

Health officials advised residents, especially those with respiratory conditions, to stay indoors when possible and limit strenuous outdoor activity. President Trump posted on Truth Social that the United States was being invaded by polluted air and said he would call Canada's prime minister to discuss the matter. He also stated that new tariffs on Canada were under consideration.