Residents across the Pacific Northwest have faced an exceptionally challenging air quality season in 2026, with wildfire smoke repeatedly pushing particulate levels into unhealthy and sometimes very unhealthy ranges across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. While the peak of smoke impacts has likely passed for this season, ongoing fires and changing weather patterns mean smoke remains a health concern for many communities.

The Season's Air Quality Arc

The worst smoke impacts of the 2026 season coincided with the explosive growth of fires in late July and early August. During that period:

  • Oregon's Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued air quality advisories covering 27 of the state's 36 counties, with unhealthy levels reached across most of the state.
  • Portland recorded air quality among the worst of any major city worldwide during peak smoke events in early August.
  • Washington saw advisories in place for the Vancouver area and most of the state east of the Cascades.
  • Idaho DEQ issued advisories covering Ada, Adams, Boise, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, Valley, and Washington counties as the Big Grass Fire pushed smoke northward into the Treasure Valley.

Current Conditions

Smoke impacts have diminished as the season's largest fires — including the now-fully-contained Big Grass Fire and the nearly-contained Rowe Creek Complex — have reduced their smoke output. However, remaining active fires in Washington's Cascades and north-central Washington, along with fires in Idaho's Selway Wilderness and adjacent areas, continue to produce smoke that can settle into valleys overnight and during periods of light wind.

The National Weather Service has noted that isolated to scattered thunderstorms developing over southwest Oregon, eastern Oregon, and central Idaho today could produce both new ignitions and brief atmospheric mixing that temporarily clears surface smoke — followed by the potential for new fire-generated smoke if ignitions result from the lightning.

How to Protect Your Health

Public health agencies across the region recommend the following during smoke events:

  • Check air quality: Monitor AirNow.gov, Oregon DEQ's daily air quality index, or Washington's Department of Ecology AQI tracker before going outdoors.
  • Limit outdoor exertion: When the AQI reaches Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101+), reduce vigorous outdoor activity — especially for children, elderly individuals, and those with heart or lung conditions.
  • Keep indoor air clean: Close windows and doors, run air conditioners on recirculate mode, and consider portable air purifiers with HEPA filters in main living spaces.
  • N95 respirators help: Standard cloth and surgical masks do not filter fine particulates effectively. N95 or P100 respirators, properly fitted, provide meaningful protection if outdoor exposure is unavoidable.
  • Know your body: Shortness of breath, chest tightness, persistent cough, or headache are signs to move indoors and consider seeking medical attention if symptoms persist.

Resources

  • Oregon Smoke Information: oregonsmoke.org
  • Oregon DEQ Air Quality Index: oregon.gov/deq/aq
  • Washington Smoke Blog: wasmoke.blogspot.com
  • Idaho DEQ Air Quality: deq.idaho.gov/air
  • AirNow National Map: airnow.gov

As the fire season transitions into fall, smoke events will become less frequent as temperatures drop and precipitation returns to the region. However, late-season wind events and any remaining active fires can still produce localized smoke impacts through October in some years.