Wildfire smoke from the North Cayuse Fire east of Pendleton is affecting air quality in Umatilla County, Oregon, and the pattern is expected to continue as long as the fire remains active and regional fires produce smoke. Residents throughout eastern Oregon and parts of eastern Washington should take precautions, particularly those in sensitive health groups.

Current Conditions

Local air quality monitors in Pendleton have recorded "Moderate" readings from the North Cayuse Fire, with some sensors reaching "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" levels at times. At those levels, the Oregon DEQ and EPA recommend that people with asthma, chronic lung disease, heart disease, the elderly, and children reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion. When air quality reaches "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups," the general public may also begin to experience symptoms with extended outdoor activity.

Meanwhile, smoke from the Claremont Fire in the Boise Foothills is affecting air quality in the Treasure Valley of Idaho. Residents throughout the region should check AirNow.gov frequently for real-time air quality index readings in their specific community.

Regional Fire Smoke Outlook

NIFC forecasters note that isolated to scattered thunderstorms across eastern Oregon and the Great Basin may generate new ignitions throughout the week — potentially increasing the number and size of smoke sources across the region. Additionally, winds and smoke transport from fires in Nevada, Utah, and Colorado can at times affect air quality in the Pacific Northwest even when local fires are not active.

Protecting Yourself from Wildfire Smoke

  • Stay indoors when air quality is Unhealthy or worse. Keep windows and doors closed.
  • Use air purifiers with HEPA filters to reduce indoor smoke particles.
  • Wear an N95 or KN95 mask if you must be outside in smoky conditions — surgical masks and cloth masks do not filter fine smoke particles effectively.
  • Avoid strenuous activity outdoors when smoke is present. Even Moderate AQI can affect sensitive individuals during exercise.
  • Check on neighbors, particularly the elderly or those with medical conditions, who may need help accessing clean air.
  • Do not rely on smell alone — smoke can be harmful even when not visibly heavy or strongly odorous.

Resources

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality maintains real-time air quality data at oregon.gov/deq. Washington's air quality data is available at ecology.wa.gov. For Idaho, visit deq.idaho.gov. Nationally, AirNow.gov and the EPA AirNow app provide the most accessible real-time and forecasted AQI data for communities across the PNW. The Central Oregon Fire Information website at centraloregonfire.org also provides air quality resources specific to the Central Oregon region.