With above-average wildfire activity forecast for the Pacific Northwest this summer, air quality experts and public health officials are urging Oregon, Washington, and Idaho residents to begin preparing now for what could be a smoky and hazardous summer season.

What the Science Says

Dr. Dan Jaffe, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Washington Bothell who has studied wildfire smoke for decades, says the region should expect significant smoke events as the fire season matures into July and August. Research from his lab and others shows that wildfire smoke contains a complex mix of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), carbon monoxide, ozone precursors, and toxic compounds that pose serious health risks — particularly for children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with asthma or cardiovascular disease.

"We've seen over the past decade that smoke impacts have expanded dramatically in the Pacific Northwest," Jaffe noted. "Communities that rarely dealt with smoke 20 years ago are now experiencing multiple weeks of unhealthy air quality each summer."

Understanding the Air Quality Index

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is the primary tool used by agencies like the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Washington Department of Ecology, and Idaho DEQ to communicate air quality conditions to the public:

  • 0–50 (Good): Air quality is satisfactory; little or no risk.
  • 51–100 (Moderate): Acceptable for most people; unusually sensitive individuals should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
  • 101–150 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups): Children, elderly, and people with heart/lung disease should limit outdoor activity.
  • 151–200 (Unhealthy): Everyone should limit prolonged outdoor exertion; sensitive groups should avoid outdoor activity.
  • 201–300 (Very Unhealthy): Everyone should avoid prolonged outdoor activity; sensitive groups should remain indoors.
  • 301+ (Hazardous): Everyone should avoid all outdoor activity.

How to Protect Yourself

  • Get a HEPA air purifier for your home now, before smoke season hits and stores sell out
  • Stock N95 or KN95 masks — cloth masks and surgical masks do not adequately filter wildfire smoke particulates
  • Identify a clean air shelter in your community (libraries, community centers, schools) where you can go during extreme smoke events
  • Keep windows and doors closed during smoke events and set HVAC systems to recirculate indoor air
  • Monitor airnow.gov daily during fire season for real-time AQI readings near you
  • Have a plan for pets and livestock — animals are also vulnerable to smoke inhalation

Resources for Smoke Monitoring

Several free tools can help you track smoke conditions in real time. The EPA's AirNow.gov provides a national map of current AQI readings and forecasts. The PurpleAir sensor network provides hyperlocal readings from citizen-operated sensors across the Northwest. The Washington Smoke Blog (wasmoke.blogspot.com) and Oregon DEQ's smoke forecast tool provide regional analyses during active fire periods.

Public health agencies emphasize that taking protective measures during smoke events — rather than waiting for an official advisory — is the most effective way to reduce health impacts. Check airnow.gov before outdoor activities throughout the summer months.