As wildfire activity across the Pacific Northwest subsides with the arrival of autumn rains and cooling temperatures, a look back at the 2026 smoke season reveals a region that experienced some of its worst air quality on record. Wildfire smoke impacted communities for extended periods from June through October, with central and northeastern Washington bearing the brunt of the season’s most severe impacts.

Where Smoke Hit Hardest

Central and northeast Washington observed the most prolonged and extreme smoke impacts of the 2026 season, driven largely by proximity to the region’s largest active fires. The Sisi Fire in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest contributed persistent smoke to north-central Washington, while other fires across the Cascades and British Columbia added to regional haze events throughout the summer.

Eastern Oregon communities — particularly those in Wasco, Deschutes, and Harney counties — also experienced extended periods of unhealthy air quality as large fires burned through the summer. The Grasshopper Fire near Dufur produced significant smoke plumes that at times drifted well into the Willamette Valley.

Coastal areas of both Oregon and Washington were the main exceptions, largely avoiding the most prolonged periods of unhealthy air quality due to their proximity to the Pacific Ocean and the marine influence that kept humidity and wind patterns from concentrating smoke in coastal communities.

Seasonal Summary by the Numbers

Oregon’s record 2.1 million-acre fire season drove much of the regional smoke burden. The sheer scale of burning — unprecedented in the modern record — meant that smoke events were larger, lasted longer, and spread further than in most prior years. At times, smoke from Oregon fires drifted hundreds of miles, affecting air quality in Washington, Idaho, and beyond.

  • Nationally, 9 million+ acres burned as of mid-October, 143% of the 10-year average
  • Puget Sound experienced multiple unhealthy air quality days from wildfire smoke, including flare-ups from backcountry fires in the Cascades
  • Eastern Washington communities reported some of the worst AQI readings since 2020

Current Conditions and Outlook

Wildfire activity across Washington has dropped to minimal levels as seasonal cooling takes hold statewide. Backcountry fires continue to smolder in dry terrain, with occasional flare-ups pushing visible smoke into parts of the Puget Sound region during temperature inversions. These events are expected to decrease in frequency and intensity as precipitation increases through late October and November.

Smoke from fall prescribed burns will become the primary source of localized air quality impacts through the winter, as the BLM and Wildland Fire Service conduct planned burns across Oregon and Washington. These burns are generally smaller in scale and shorter in duration than wildfire smoke events.

Protecting Yourself from Wildfire Smoke

Even as the worst of the season passes, residents in fire-prone areas should maintain readiness for smoke events:

  • Monitor airnow.gov for real-time Air Quality Index data
  • Keep N95 or KN95 respirator masks on hand
  • Use HEPA air purifiers indoors during smoke events
  • Close windows and doors when outdoor AQI is above 100 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups)
  • Avoid strenuous outdoor activity when smoke is visible or AQI is elevated

People with asthma, COPD, heart disease, the elderly, and children are most vulnerable to wildfire smoke and should take extra precautions during any smoke events, including those from prescribed burns.