Smoke from several active wildfires is impacting air quality across central and eastern Oregon, prompting health advisories for sensitive populations and raising concerns for outdoor recreation. The North Cayuse Fire east of Pendleton, smoldering from the Coyner Fire near Redmond, and residual smoke from the Hole in the Ground Fire are all contributing to degraded air quality across the region as of July 10.

Sources of Smoke

According to Central Oregon Fire Information and the Oregon Wildfire Explorer, the primary smoke contributors affecting the region include:

  • North Cayuse Fire (4,887 acres, 15% contained, east of Pendleton): Active fire behavior is generating significant smoke columns visible across the Columbia Basin and into central Oregon.
  • Coyner Fire (near Redmond): Although evacuations have been lifted and active spread is limited, crews are still mopping up interior hotspots, producing visible smoke from smoldering fuels.
  • Hole in the Ground Fire (Deschutes County area): Smoldering activity from this incident continues to contribute intermittent smoke to local air quality.

Winds are expected to shift and carry smoke from Washington and Idaho fires southward and westward at times, which could affect communities from the Columbia Gorge to the Willamette Valley during certain wind patterns.

Health Impacts and Sensitive Populations

Wildfire smoke contains fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and other pollutants that can cause serious respiratory and cardiovascular impacts. The Oregon Health Authority recommends that all residents — and particularly those in sensitive groups — take smoke exposure seriously:

  • Sensitive groups: People with asthma, COPD, heart disease, children, elderly individuals, and pregnant women should limit outdoor activity when Air Quality Index (AQI) readings are above 100 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups).
  • General public: When AQI exceeds 150 (Unhealthy for All), everyone should avoid prolonged outdoor exertion.
  • Keep windows and doors closed when smoke is heavy; use indoor air filtration if available.
  • N95 respirators — properly fitted — can provide protection when outdoor exposure is unavoidable.

Monitoring Air Quality

Oregonians can track real-time air quality conditions using the following resources:

  • AirNow.gov — provides AQI maps and forecasts for all Oregon communities
  • Oregon DEQ Air Quality — oregonairquality.s3-website-us-west-2.amazonaws.com
  • Central Oregon Fire Information — centraloregonfire.org — updated daily at 8:30 a.m.
  • Text alerts: Text COFIRE to 888-777 to receive wildfire and air quality alerts for Central Oregon

Outlook

Air quality is expected to remain variable through the weekend, improving during periods of stronger onshore flow and degrading during hot afternoons and evening calm periods when smoke settles into valleys. The combination of multiple uncontained fires and dry, unstable air masses could produce poor air quality days through next week across central and eastern Oregon. Residents should check daily forecasts before planning outdoor activities.