Is Chicago Fire filmed in Chicago?

Chicago Fire is a TV staple. The firefighting drama has crossed the ten-year mark, and its status as the centerpiece of not only the One Chicago franchise, but the NBC lineup as a whole, is secure. It’s also a big deal in the Windy City, where it’s obviously set.

The standard production of TV, however, raises a few questions about the show’s Chicago cred. So many dramas and sitcoms are set in a particular city, yet only use a couple shots of the city before shooting in a more controlled setting (typically, Los Angeles or Vancouver).

Is Chicago Fire one of those shows?

Where is Chicago Fire filmed?

You’ll be happy to find out that Chicago Fire bucks the trend of shooting somewhere other than the city in which its set. Most of the show is actually shot in Chicago, including the scenes in the 51, which is actually the Engine 18 Station on the west side of the city.

The show makes use of local staples like the Chicago River or Magnificent Mile road in the downtown area. The same goes for the other shows in the franchise, Chicago PD and Chicago Med. Both make use of Chicago settings, and cast members have praised the showrunners for adhering to the authenticity of doing so.

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"Oliver Platt, star of Med, told the Observer that he loved working in the Windy City. “Working here is fantastic”, he remarked. “There’s a lack of pretension. A roll up your sleeves, grounded attitude towards the work people do here which is incredibly refreshing.”"

Furthermore, Fire showrunner Derek Haas told the outlet that location is something of its own character in the show. “Every given episode is about location”, he revealed, before adding that he tries to avoid shooting at obvious landmarks like Wrigley Field or the Sears Tower.

This attention to regional detail is good for the city, as the aforementioned Engine 18 Station has drawn tourists and fans from the show who live throughout the country. All of them are eager to get a piece of the One Chicago experience, and its only fitting that they go to the real city to get it.

What do you hope to see in the Chicago Fire season 11 premiere? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

For the latest Chicago Fire spoilers and news, plus more on the entire series, follow the Chicago Fire category at One Chicago Center.