The first week of June marks Smoke Ready Week, and air quality agencies across Washington, Oregon, and the broader Pacific Northwest are using the occasion to urge residents to take practical steps now — before wildfire smoke becomes a health emergency this summer.

The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA), which covers portions of western Washington, is among the agencies promoting smoke preparedness resources this week. Agency officials pointed residents to the Washington Smoke Blog — an information-sharing hub updated by multiple state and local agencies — as one of the best tools available for real-time smoke tracking.

Why 2026 Is a High-Risk Year

The urgency behind this year's Smoke Ready Week messaging is backed by alarming atmospheric data. According to a post published this week on the Washington Smoke Blog:

"The winter of 2025-26 was exceptionally warm across the western United States. An already warm November to February was accelerated by an extended duration heat wave in March that broke monthly temperature records across large portions of the Great Basin, Central/Southern Rockies, and Southwest. As a result, by April 1, when snowpack is usually at its annual maximum, this year's numbers were near or below record values across almost every mountain range in the west."

Low snowpack means rivers and soils dry out earlier in the season, leaving forests and grasslands with less moisture buffer when summer heat and wind arrive. Combined with nearly 2.5 million acres already burned nationally through early June, the conditions are in place for significant smoke impacts across the region.

Steps Residents Can Take Now

Air quality agencies recommend preparing before smoke arrives rather than scrambling during an event. Key steps include:

  • Obtain N95 respirators: Standard surgical masks do not filter fine particulate matter from wildfire smoke. N95 or KN95 respirators provide meaningful protection for sensitive individuals and the general public during heavy smoke events.
  • Identify a clean air space: Designate a room in your home where you can seal gaps, run an air purifier with a HEPA filter, and shelter during unhealthy air quality days.
  • Refill prescriptions: Those with asthma, COPD, cardiovascular disease, or other conditions that may worsen during smoke exposure should speak with their healthcare provider and ensure medications are stocked ahead of the season.
  • Download AirNow: The EPA's AirNow app and website provide real-time air quality index (AQI) data for communities across the region.
  • Plan for vulnerable family members: Children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions are disproportionately affected by smoke. Have a plan for where they will go during prolonged smoke events.

Resources

Washington residents can visit the Washington Smoke Blog at wasmoke.blogspot.com for regional smoke updates. Oregon residents should bookmark Oregon DEQ's air quality monitoring at oregon.gov/deq. ORCAA's dedicated wildfire smoke page at orcaa.org provides additional guidance for those in Clallam, Jefferson, Mason, Grays Harbor, Thurston, and Pacific counties in Washington.

Air quality managers emphasize that the best time to prepare is now — not when smoke is already blanketing the valley and stores have run out of respirators.