The Pacific Northwest has endured a prolonged period of degraded air quality driven by smoke from hundreds of active wildfires across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and neighboring states. While an advancing cold front is expected to temporarily clear smoke from many low-elevation communities this week, residents should understand that air quality impacts from wildfire smoke are not over for the season — particularly as fall prescribed burns get underway.

Smoke Impacts Across the Region

Eastern Washington communities, including the Spokane metropolitan area, experienced multiple extended smoke events throughout the 2026 season as fires in Chelan, Okanogan, and Kittitas counties sent thick smoke columns eastward. The Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency noted that during peak smoke events, AQI readings exceeded 100 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups) and at times reached the Very Unhealthy or Hazardous categories.

The Willamette Valley in western Oregon saw repeated incursions of smoke from both Cascade and Blue Mountain fires, with Portland, Salem, and Eugene all recording unhealthy air days during August and September. Communities in the Columbia Gorge corridor were among the hardest hit, receiving smoke from multiple directions depending on wind patterns.

Idaho’s panhandle communities, including Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint, also experienced significant smoke events tied to fires in both the Idaho Panhandle and the neighboring Colville National Forest area of Washington.

How Wildfire Smoke Affects Health

Wildfire smoke contains fine particulate matter (PM2.5), carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and a complex mixture of volatile organic compounds. Short-term exposure can cause:

  • Eye, nose, and throat irritation
  • Coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing
  • Aggravation of existing heart and lung conditions
  • Headaches and fatigue

Long-term or high-intensity exposure carries more serious risks, particularly for children, the elderly, pregnant women, and anyone with asthma, COPD, heart disease, or other chronic health conditions.

What You Can Do

  • Check airnow.gov daily for your local Air Quality Index before outdoor activities
  • Stay indoors with windows closed when AQI is Unhealthy (151+) or higher
  • Use a certified air purifier with a HEPA filter in your home if you can
  • Wear an N95 or P100 respirator if you must be outdoors during heavy smoke— cloth masks do not filter PM2.5
  • Avoid vigorous outdoor exercise even on moderate smoke days if you are in a sensitive group
  • Keep pets indoors during unhealthy air events

Smoke Season Isn’t Quite Over

The incoming cold front will push smoke out of many low-elevation areas and is expected to bring noticeably improved air quality to western Oregon and Washington within the next 24-48 hours. However, with fall prescribed burn operations now starting across the region, localized smoke events will continue — particularly in valleys downwind of BLM and Forest Service burn units in northeastern Washington, the Blue Mountains, and the Oregon Cascades.

Residents near announced prescribed burns should monitor the Washington Smoke Information blog (wasmoke.blogspot.com) and the Oregon Smoke Information blog for real-time updates on burn activity and smoke forecasts. Both sites provide daily smoke outlooks during active burn periods.