As wildfire season arrives in Oregon, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has released updated guidance for protecting children from wildfire smoke during summer outdoor activities — and the new rules are stricter than before.

Lower Thresholds, More Caution

The revised OHA guidelines lower the Air Quality Index (AQI) cutoff points at which summer camps, youth sports leagues, and outdoor recreation programs should modify or cancel activities. The previous guidance allowed more outdoor activity at moderate AQI levels; the new standards urge cancellation at "Unhealthy" AQI readings and increased caution even at lower levels.

Key changes in the updated guidance include:

  • Recommending cancellation of strenuous outdoor activity when AQI exceeds "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" (101+) for youth programs serving children under 18
  • Advising that children with asthma, heart conditions, or respiratory issues should have activities modified at even lower AQI levels
  • Encouraging program operators to have indoor alternatives ready when smoke is forecast
  • Requiring clear communication plans between camp operators and parents when smoke events occur

Why the Update Now

Oregon has experienced increasingly severe wildfire smoke events over the past decade. In 2020, 2021, and again in 2023, the Portland metro area registered some of the worst air quality of any major city in the world during peak smoke events — largely due to smoke transported from fires burning in Oregon, Washington, and California.

OHA officials noted that children are disproportionately affected by smoke exposure because their lungs are still developing and they breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults. "When smoke is heavy, kids shouldn't be playing outside," said one OHA spokesperson in materials accompanying the guidance update. "We want programs to plan ahead and not wait until the smoke is visible."

Resources for Monitoring Air Quality

Oregonians can monitor air quality in real time through several free resources:

  • AirNow.gov — the federal air quality monitoring network with current AQI readings by zip code
  • Oregon DEQ Air Quality Index — state-level monitoring including hourly updates from permanent monitoring stations
  • Central Oregon Smoke Map — a new interactive tool launched by Visit Central Oregon combining AQI data, smoke forecasts, and fire information
  • PurpleAir — a crowdsourced network of low-cost sensors that often provides hyper-local readings not captured by official stations

Planning Ahead for Smoke Season

Health officials recommend that families, camps, and sports organizations develop smoke action plans now — before the first smoke event hits. That means designating indoor backup venues, establishing communication trees, and making sure program staff know how to read AQI readings and what actions to take at each level. With above-normal fire potential forecast across the Northwest through September, smoke events are more likely, not less, this summer.