Smoke and Air Quality: What Pacific Northwest Residents Need to Know Heading Into Fire Season

As wildfire activity increases across the Pacific Northwest and fire managers warn of a potentially severe 2026 season, residents across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho should understand how to monitor air quality, protect their health during smoke events, and access real-time information when fires burn nearby.

The Regional Smoke Picture

The Pacific Northwest has experienced worsening smoke seasons over the past decade. Fires in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and neighboring states — as well as fires in British Columbia, Canada — can push smoke into populated valleys and urban areas for days or weeks at a time. Portland, Seattle, Spokane, Boise, Bend, and the Willamette and Snake River valleys have all experienced periods of hazardous air quality in recent years.

The 2025 season included several extended smoke events in Western Washington and the Portland metro area. With forecasters warning of a drier and warmer 2026 season, similar or worse events are possible.

How to Monitor Air Quality

Several real-time monitoring resources are available for Northwest residents:

AirNow.gov — The primary federal air quality monitoring tool, showing current Air Quality Index (AQI) readings by city or zip code
Fire.AirNow.gov — Smoke-specific monitoring tool with interactive maps showing fire locations, smoke plumes, and AQI readings
PurpleAir — A network of lower-cost sensors that can provide hyperlocal air quality data, particularly useful in areas without official monitors
Washington Department of Ecology — ecology.wa.gov provides Washington-specific smoke and air quality information
Oregon Smoke Blog — DEQ Oregon’s dedicated resource for wildfire smoke updates statewide

Understanding the AQI Scale

The Air Quality Index runs from 0 to 500. At readings below 50, air quality is considered “Good.” Readings of 101–150 are “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups,” meaning children, the elderly, and people with heart or lung conditions should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. Readings above 150 are “Unhealthy” for everyone. Above 200, conditions are “Very Unhealthy,” and above 300, “Hazardous” — a level that warrants staying indoors with windows closed.

Protecting Yourself During Smoke Events

When AQI reaches Unhealthy levels, health officials recommend:

Stay indoors with windows and doors closed
Use air conditioning if available, set to recirculate indoor air rather than draw in outside air
Run air purifiers with HEPA filters in frequently used rooms
Wear an N95 or P100 respirator if you must go outside — cloth masks and surgical masks do not filter fine smoke particles effectively
Avoid strenuous outdoor activity
Check on neighbors, elderly family members, and those without air conditioning

Vulnerable Populations

Children, the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals with asthma, COPD, heart disease, or diabetes face the greatest health risks from wildfire smoke. Even brief exposures to high PM2.5 concentrations — the fine particles produced by fires — can trigger respiratory distress, cardiac events, and other serious health outcomes.