Wildfire smoke is once again a defining feature of summer in the Pacific Northwest, with the 2026 season on pace to be one of the most impactful for air quality in the region's recorded history. As wildfires burn across the West, public health agencies are urging residents — particularly those with respiratory conditions — to take protective action when smoke impacts their communities.

Season Shaping Up as One of the Worst

According to health and environmental researchers, the 2026 wildfire smoke season could rank among the worst the region has seen. With nearly 3 million acres burned nationwide by late June — a pace that outstrips most recent years — and multiple active fire fronts across the western United States, smoke events are likely to become more frequent and more intense as summer progresses.

The complex chemical composition of wildfire smoke makes it especially hazardous. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5), carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and dozens of volatile organic compounds are all present in smoke plumes. When wildfires burn near the wildland-urban interface — as is increasingly common in the Pacific Northwest — combustion products from plastics, treated lumber, paints, and insulation can compound health risks further.

Washington Ecology Monitoring Smoke

The Washington State Department of Ecology is actively monitoring air quality and forecasting smoke events across the state. The agency coordinates with the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Health, the U.S. Forest Service, and the National Weather Service to track smoke plumes and issue public health guidance.

Residents can check current air quality conditions using the following resources:

  • AirNow.gov — EPA's national air quality index, updated hourly
  • Washington Smoke Blog — wasmoke.blogspot.com — regional smoke forecasts and fire information
  • Oregon Smoke Blog — oregonsmoke.blogspot.com — ODF and DEQ smoke updates
  • Idaho Smoke Blog — idahosmoke.blogspot.com — daily smoke summaries for Idaho

Protecting Yourself From Smoke

Public health officials recommend the following steps when smoke is present:

  • Stay indoors with windows and doors closed; use air conditioning on recirculate mode
  • Use a HEPA air purifier if available
  • Wear a properly fitted N95 or P100 respirator outdoors — cloth masks do not protect against PM2.5
  • Reduce strenuous outdoor activity during smoke events
  • Check on vulnerable neighbors, especially the elderly, children, and those with asthma or heart disease
  • Identify a designated clean air shelter in your community in case home air quality becomes untenable

A Warming Climate and Longer Fire Seasons

Scientists and fire managers increasingly link the intensifying smoke problem to both a warming, drying climate and decades of fire suppression that have allowed fuel loads to accumulate. The combination means larger, hotter fires — and more smoke. Forecasters warn that the warm, dry summer outlook for the Northwest could see the region's signature green fade quickly if conditions persist through July and August.

Current air quality readings for Oregon, Washington, and Idaho are available at airnow.gov. Residents experiencing symptoms such as chest tightness, difficulty breathing, or eye irritation during smoke events should seek medical attention promptly.