The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has published updated air quality guidance for children, youth, and the organizations that serve them — revising its standards for outdoor activities during wildfire smoke events based on growing evidence that smoke harms children at lower exposure levels than previously understood.

What Changed

Released June 8, 2026, the updated Oregon Air Quality Index guidance for youth imposes stricter limits on outdoor physical activity during smoke events compared to the previous guidance. The revision reflects an expanding body of scientific research indicating that children are more vulnerable to wildfire smoke than adults, and that health impacts occur at lower concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) than older guidelines accounted for.

Key changes include:

  • Lower AQI thresholds at which outdoor sports practices, physical education classes, and recess should be modified or moved indoors.
  • Stronger recommendations for schools, athletic leagues, and youth-serving organizations to use air quality forecasting tools when planning outdoor events.
  • Expanded guidance for children with asthma, heart conditions, or other health conditions that make them more sensitive to smoke exposure.

Why This Matters for the 2026 Season

The updated guidance arrives as Oregon and the broader Pacific Northwest face an above-average fire season. With snowpack running far below normal and fuels already dry, air quality managers anticipate smoke events affecting Oregon communities — including the Willamette Valley, Central Oregon, and southern Oregon — as early as late June or July.

Wildfire smoke is a complex mixture of gases and fine particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs. Short-term exposure can cause eye irritation, coughing, and shortness of breath. For children, whose lungs are still developing, repeated or intense smoke exposure has been linked to increased asthma risk and other long-term respiratory effects.

How to Use the AQI

Oregon residents can check current and forecasted air quality at AirNow.gov, which displays the Air Quality Index in categories:

  • Green (0–50): Good — no restrictions needed.
  • Yellow (51–100): Moderate — unusually sensitive children should reduce prolonged outdoor exertion.
  • Orange (101–150): Unhealthy for sensitive groups — children should reduce outdoor activity, especially vigorous exercise.
  • Red (151–200): Unhealthy — children should avoid outdoor exertion; move physical activities indoors.
  • Purple (201–300): Very Unhealthy — all outdoor activities should be suspended for children.

Protecting Your Family

Families can prepare for smoke season by keeping N95 respirator masks on hand for adults and older children, ensuring home HVAC systems have clean filters, and identifying a clean air shelter — such as a community center or library — near their home. OHA recommends keeping windows and doors closed during smoke events and using portable air purifiers with HEPA filters in rooms where children spend the most time.

Schools and athletic organizations should bookmark the OHA's updated guidance, available through the Oregon Health Authority website, and incorporate AQI-based decision trees into their activity planning well before smoke events arrive.