Smoke from wildfires in Canada is making for colorful sunrises and sunsets in Chicago, as seen May 18, 2023. (Patty Wetli / WTTW News)

Smoke from raging wildfires in western Canada has reached Chicago, creating hazy skies and making for redder sunrises and sunsets.

Nearly 1.3 million acres have burned in an uncommonly active fire season in the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan, which have been in the grips of heatwave. A lack of rain has worsened the situation.

Satellites have tracked the plume of smoke across the northern U.S.

Rapid Refresh (RAP) model forecast vertically integrated smoke (run valid 10AM CT today (Tue 5/16) to 1PM CT Thu 5/18). Forecast shows narrow layer of smoke arriving later today, lull Wed AM, & then a more substantial region of smoke Wed PM thru Thu 5/18. #ILwx #INwx (2/3) pic.twitter.com/UXz7noKocg

— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) May 16, 2023

This article originally published on May 17. It has been updated with new forecast information.

Contact Patty Wetli:@pattywetli| (773) 509-5623 |[email protected]