How wildfire smoke is impacting outdoor life in Philadelphia

Fox - Fox 29
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75 Video Views·Jul 18, 2026
Pennsylvania's own Shane Gillis performing in South Philly.
Gillis reportedly breaking the Guinness World Record for most tickets sold for a comedy show
by a solo comedian for tonight's event.
More than 76,000 tickets sold for one guy to tell jokes.
According to Variety, he has made it in the comedy world, that's for sure.
Jill Croce, live outside the link. Jill, I think the show is going on right now.
So it looked like fans had fun out there tailgating.
Yeah, they almost had too much fun, Jason, and you'll see why in just a minute.
But that Canadian wildfire smoke, it didn't stop people from being at the link
or walking around Philadelphia.
In fact, if you didn't know any better, you would kind of think
there wasn't any active weather alert right now.
Hazy conditions still blanketing Philadelphia region now for a second day.
Throughout the city, those not sporting masks heavily outnumbered
those wearing the protective gear to shield that Ontario wildfire smoke.
This despite guidance from Philadelphia officials Friday afternoon
like the Department of Public Health.
Our air quality is still unhealthy.
Right now, things are better than they have been since last night.
As we're learning, this is a changeable situation.
City officials asked people not to be outside longer than 90 minutes,
but Shane Gillis' fans were tailgating hours before the 8 p.m. show at the link.
You can't see the city or anything like that,
but you've still got to be outside and have a good time.
I mean, if you look around, it's not really bothering too many people.
I kept checking the report to see if it would be canceled or not,
and I'm sitting way high up at the comedy show, so it's a little scary.
Then from Kelly Drive to the Art Museum steps to the Oval,
only a few groups responded with the mask.
I think I've become so used to the smell that it doesn't affect me anymore,
but I know it's not particularly healthy to be breathing it indirectly,
so I'm just trying to be a precautionary guide.
Las Vegas native Krista Davis wasn't going to let the alert change their itinerary.
No, so far we haven't had much trouble breathing,
but it's definitely, you can feel it in the air.
Air quality or not, we're going to see the sights.
And the state DEP says that we're going to see some relief tomorrow,
Saturday, with us transitioning to a code orange.
In South Philadelphia, Jill Croce, Fox 29 News, Jason, Dawn.
All right, Jill, thank you very much.
Nobody seemed to care.
Yeah, laughing their butts off, I hope.
All right, thank you, Jill.
