As wildfire season takes hold across the Pacific Northwest, a Central Oregon tourism organization has stepped up with a practical digital tool that combines multiple data streams into a single, easy-to-use resource for tracking smoke and fire conditions.
One Map, Multiple Data Sources
Visit Central Oregon's interactive smoke map — originally launched in 2025 and now being promoted ahead of the 2026 fire season — pulls together real-time air quality readings, smoke forecasts from NOAA's Hazard Mapping System, traffic camera feeds, and active fire perimeter information into a unified interface.
The tool allows users to see not just current smoke conditions at specific locations, but also forecast smoke movement over the next 24 to 48 hours — critical information for planning hiking trips, outdoor events, or recreational travel across the high desert and Cascade backcountry of Central Oregon.
Why It Matters for the Region
Central Oregon — encompassing Bend, Redmond, Sisters, Sunriver, and the surrounding backcountry — is one of the most popular outdoor recreation destinations in the Pacific Northwest. It is also a region that experiences significant wildfire smoke every fire season, both from local fires and from smoke transported hundreds of miles from fires in eastern Oregon, Idaho, and beyond.
Tourism-dependent businesses in the region have long struggled with the unpredictability of smoke events. A resource that helps visitors and locals quickly assess conditions can reduce unnecessary cancellations while also helping people make informed decisions about when to stay indoors.
How to Access the Map
The smoke map is available through Visit Central Oregon's website at visitcentraloregon.com. The interactive tool is free and requires no login. Users can toggle between air quality layers, fire locations, and camera views.
The map is designed to be accessible on mobile devices, making it useful for travelers who are already in the field and need to make real-time decisions about outdoor plans.
Broader Context: Smoke Monitoring Across the PNW
Across the Pacific Northwest, state and local agencies have invested in expanding air quality monitoring networks in recent years. Oregon DEQ has added low-cost sensor stations in many rural communities that previously had no real-time air quality data. Washington State also expanded its monitoring network following the 2020 and 2021 fire seasons.
With the 2026 season expected to be above normal across the region, resources like Visit Central Oregon's map represent the kind of practical public communication tool that can help communities adapt to an increasingly smoke-affected summer landscape.