The first week of June 2026 is Smoke Ready Week, a national public awareness campaign organized by air quality agencies across the country — and the Pacific Northwest has particular reason to take the message seriously. With forecasters projecting an active and potentially severe fire season, communities across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho could face multiple periods of unhealthy air quality from wildfire smoke in the months ahead.

What Is Smoke Ready Week?

Smoke Ready Week is coordinated by air quality agencies including the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) in Washington and counterparts across the country. The campaign runs June 1–7 and focuses on educating the public about how to protect their health when smoke events occur, and how to prepare in advance rather than scrambling when air quality deteriorates.

ORCAA and partner agencies are sharing resources throughout the week on topics including how to monitor air quality, when to limit outdoor activities, how to improve indoor air quality during smoke events, and how to protect vulnerable populations including children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions.

Understanding Air Quality Index Levels

Air quality during wildfire smoke events is measured using the Air Quality Index (AQI), which ranges from 0 to 500. Key thresholds to know include:

  • 0–50 (Good): Normal outdoor activities are fine for everyone.
  • 51–100 (Moderate): Unusually sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion.
  • 101–150 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups): Children, the elderly, and those with heart or lung disease should limit outdoor exertion.
  • 151–200 (Unhealthy): Everyone should limit prolonged outdoor exertion; sensitive groups should avoid outdoor activities.
  • 201–300 (Very Unhealthy): Everyone should avoid outdoor exertion; sensitive groups should remain indoors.
  • 301+ (Hazardous): Remain indoors with windows and doors closed; all outdoor activity should be avoided.

How to Protect Yourself and Your Family

Air quality agencies recommend several practical steps for preparing for and responding to smoke events:

  • Get an air purifier: HEPA air purifiers significantly reduce indoor smoke particle levels. Stock up before the season — purifiers sold out quickly during the 2020 and 2023 smoke events in the Pacific Northwest.
  • Stock N95 masks: Standard cloth and surgical masks do not filter fine smoke particles. N95 or KN95 respirators, properly fitted, provide meaningful protection when you must be outdoors.
  • Know your air quality: Bookmark airnow.gov and your state's air quality monitoring portal. Many counties also have local sensors through programs like PurpleAir that provide hyperlocal data.
  • Create a clean room: Identify one room in your home where you can concentrate air filtration and reduce smoke infiltration by sealing gaps around doors and windows.
  • Check on neighbors: During smoke events, check on elderly neighbors and those without air conditioning. Extreme heat and poor air quality frequently coincide during wildfire season.

Oregon and Washington Resources

Oregon residents can monitor air quality at oregonairquality.net and sign up for smoke notifications through the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. Washington residents can access real-time data through ecology.wa.gov and the Washington Smoke Blog at wasmoke.blogspot.com.

The University of Washington's Department of Atmospheric Sciences runs the Northwest Air Quality Forecast, which provides multi-day smoke forecasts for the region. These tools, used together, give Pacific Northwest residents advance notice to prepare before air quality worsens.

Wildfire smoke is a regional reality that is becoming more intense and more frequent. Smoke Ready Week is an opportunity to get prepared before the first major smoke event — not after. Visit orcaa.org for Smoke Ready Week resources and preparedness guides.