After a summer and early fall defined by persistent, hazardous wildfire smoke, air quality across the Pacific Northwest is gradually improving as fire activity decreases. Oregon and Washington experienced some of the worst smoke events in years during the 2026 season, with air quality alerts affecting 27 of Oregon’s 36 counties at peak intensity and major population centers including Portland, Seattle, and Spokane reaching unhealthy air quality levels on multiple days.

What Changed: The Season at a Glance

At the height of the 2026 fire season, the Pacific Northwest hosted 38 of the nation’s active large fires simultaneously, producing enormous quantities of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that blanketed the region. Oregon’s DEQ issued air quality advisories for most of the state multiple times, and Washington’s Department of Ecology tracked similar patterns east of the Cascades and in the Puget Sound basin.

Portland’s air quality reached levels that placed it among the worst of any major city globally during peak smoke events in early August. Communities from Bend to the Columbia River Gorge faced days-long stretches of Unhealthy to Hazardous AQI readings, prompting school closures, outdoor activity cancellations, and public health advisories for sensitive populations.

Current Conditions

As of mid-October 2026, with the national preparedness level at PL1 and many of the season’s largest fires approaching containment, smoke conditions have improved significantly across most of the Pacific Northwest. The Washington Smoke Blog, which tracked 2026 fire activity throughout the season, noted in a late September wrap-up that “the 2026 wildfire season is finally slowing down” — with lingering smoke in the Cascades becoming episodic rather than persistent.

The Oregon Smoke Information blog (oregonsmoke.org) and Air Quality Index data at fire.airnow.gov continue to track current conditions. Most of Oregon’s populated areas are now experiencing Good to Moderate air quality, with localized Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups readings possible near active fire areas.

Remaining Smoke Sources

While the worst of the season is likely behind the region, several factors could produce localized smoke impacts through late October:

  • Active wildfires: The Sisi Fire in Chelan County, Three Queens Fire in Kittitas County, Luna and Border 2 fires in Whatcom County, and ongoing fires in Idaho’s Boundary County can all produce smoke under the right atmospheric conditions.
  • Prescribed burns: Multiple Rx fires are active or planned across Oregon’s national forests. While prescribed burns are managed for smoke dispersal, smoke on burn days is expected and planned for.
  • Wind events: Offshore or outflow wind events can push smoke from California fires or regional burns into the Pacific Northwest with little warning.

Protecting Yourself from Smoke

Even as conditions improve, health agencies recommend that sensitive groups — including children, older adults, pregnant individuals, and those with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions — remain cautious during any elevated smoke events:

  • Monitor AQI at AirNow.gov (fire.airnow.gov for fire-specific tracking).
  • Keep indoor air clean using HVAC filters (MERV-13 or higher) or portable air purifiers with HEPA filters.
  • Limit strenuous outdoor activity when AQI exceeds 100 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups).
  • Wear a well-fitted N95 respirator if you must be outdoors during elevated smoke.

The 2026 fire season has been a stark reminder of how dramatically wildfire smoke can affect the quality of life, health outcomes, and economic activity across the Pacific Northwest. As fire managers and policymakers plan for 2027, air quality protection is increasingly being integrated into wildfire response planning at all levels of government.