Wildfire smoke from dozens of active fires burning across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho has degraded air quality to hazardous and unhealthy levels across much of the Pacific Northwest, prompting health advisories from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and public health agencies in both states.

Central Oregon: Hazardous Air Quality

Central Oregon has seen some of the worst air quality in the region, with smoke from the Brewer Fire in Jefferson County and other nearby fires pushing Air Quality Index (AQI) readings into the hazardous category in and around Bend and Redmond. The Bend Bulletin reported that monitors in the area reached hazardous levels on July 21. The Oregon DEQ issued a smoke advisory covering Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson Counties and urged all residents — not just sensitive groups — to limit outdoor activities.

Eastern Oregon Counties Under Advisory

The Oregon DEQ's smoke advisory has also covered Umatilla, Union, Gilliam, and Crook counties, driven largely by smoke from the Lower Dry Creek Fire in Umatilla County and other eastern Oregon incidents. The advisory is expected to remain in effect through at least the coming week, as fire activity and stagnant air patterns persist.

OregonSmoke.org, a resource maintained by state air quality and health agencies, has flagged intermittent smoke impacts for communities across the eastern Oregon plateau and the northern Cascades foothills.

Portland Metro: Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy

Portland and the surrounding metro area have not been spared. KGW reports that air quality in the Portland-Vancouver corridor has reached the orange "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" and red "Unhealthy" categories, with some monitors briefly touching the purple "Very Unhealthy" range on Tuesday afternoon. Portland recorded its hottest temperature of 2026 on Tuesday, with the heat contributing to both fire spread and reduced atmospheric mixing that keeps smoke concentrated near the surface.

Health Guidance for Residents

Health officials recommend the following protective measures when smoke is present:

  • Stay indoors with windows and doors closed as much as possible.
  • Use air purifiers with HEPA filters if available. Change filters regularly during extended smoke events.
  • When outdoors, wear a properly fitted N95 or P100 respirator mask. Cloth and surgical masks do not effectively filter wildfire smoke particles.
  • Limit strenuous outdoor activity, especially during afternoon hours when smoke concentrations tend to peak.
  • Keep car windows closed and set ventilation to recirculate indoor air while driving.
  • Check on neighbors, elderly residents, and anyone with pre-existing heart or lung conditions.

Populations most vulnerable to smoke impacts include children, older adults, pregnant women, and anyone with asthma, COPD, heart disease, or other chronic health conditions.

Monitoring Resources

Residents can track real-time air quality at the following resources:

  • AirNow.gov — national real-time AQI map updated hourly
  • fire.airnow.gov — NIFC/EPA fire-specific smoke and air quality tool
  • OregonSmoke.org — Oregon-specific wildfire smoke forecast and advisory information
  • PurpleAir — community-based sensor network for hyperlocal readings

Outlook

Air quality is expected to remain poor across much of Oregon through the remainder of this week. Incoming dry thunderstorm activity could generate new ignitions, adding additional smoke sources to an already impacted region. A wind shift late in the week could improve ventilation in some areas, but forecasters caution that conditions are subject to rapid change as the fire situation evolves.