Six Flags Great America temporarily closed as smoke from Canada’s severe wildfires spread across parts of the United States, pushing air quality in the Chicago area into unhealthy levels.
The Gurnee, Illinois, amusement park, along with Hurricane Harbor Chicago, shut down Friday because of the poor air conditions affecting the region, Six Flags announced on its website.
The park is expected to reopen Saturday if conditions improve, People reported, citing a spokesperson for the attraction.
“Due to current air quality conditions and guidance from weather and safety experts, we have made the decision to close the park today,” the spokesperson said.
“We appreciate our guests’ understanding and patience, and will continue to monitor conditions as we plan to reopen tomorrow as scheduled.”
The Chicago area remains under an air quality alert through Saturday night as smoke from wildfires in northern Ontario continues to move south, according to ABC 7 Chicago.
Air quality in Chicago reached the “hazardous” range on the Air Quality Index Friday morning before easing later in the day to “unhealthy,” a level at which “some members of the general public may experience health effects.”
By Thursday, Chicago had recorded the worst air quality of any major city in the world.
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Canada had 859 active wildfires as of Thursday, including 113 classified as out of control, according to the Canadian government.
The smoke has affected large parts of the US, including the Great Lakes, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, exposing more than 100 million people to unhealthy air.
New York City continued to be impacted by the smoke Friday.
The city woke up under “unhealthy” skies, prompting health alerts as IQAir ranked New York fourth among major cities worldwide for the worst air quality.
Health officials advised residents, especially those with respiratory conditions, to stay indoors when possible and avoid strenuous outdoor activity.
President Trump threatened new tariffs on Canada over the wildfire smoke Friday, saying the country was failing to manage its forests.
“We are holding Canada responsible for the fact that they are not properly maintaining their Forests, and Brush therein,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“The United States is being unnecessarily invaded by filthy, polluted, and unhealthy air, the quality of which is dangerous, and totally unacceptable!
“I will call the Prime Minister during the day to find out what they are going to do about it. The cost is incalculable!”
