After one of the most punishing smoke seasons in Pacific Northwest history, air quality across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho has dramatically improved as fall weather systems have cleared the atmosphere and suppressed wildfire activity region-wide.

At the peak of the 2026 wildfire season, smoke from regional fires blanketed communities across the Pacific Northwest for weeks at a time. Spokane recorded an Air Quality Index of 210 in early August — a level classified as "Very Unhealthy" by EPA standards — while pockets of "Dangerous" air quality were observed in portions of Washington and Oregon. Schools closed, outdoor events were cancelled, and health officials urged vulnerable populations to remain indoors and use air filtration systems.

Current Air Quality Conditions

As of early November, air quality across the Pacific Northwest is largely in the "Good" to "Moderate" range, reflecting the dramatic reduction in wildfire activity and the cleansing effect of fall rainfall, increased atmospheric mixing, and the absence of the persistent high-pressure systems that trapped smoke over the region during summer.

The strong Pacific storm arriving in Washington this week is expected to further scrub the atmosphere over western portions of the region. The Northern Intermountain West — including portions of eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Idaho — is experiencing somewhat drier conditions, but with fire activity at a minimum nationwide, smoke is not currently a significant concern in those areas.

Prescribed Fire Smoke This Fall

While wildfire smoke has largely subsided, residents should be aware that prescribed burn operations across Oregon and Washington will generate some localized smoke through fall and potentially into early winter. The BLM, U.S. Wildland Fire Service, and USFS have announced the launch of prescribed burning operations as conditions allow.

Unlike wildfire smoke events, prescribed burn smoke is typically localized and shorter in duration. It tends to concentrate in lower-elevation valleys and near-fire areas, particularly at night when smoke settles into drainages. Smoke from prescribed burns is managed to minimize public health impacts, but residents with respiratory conditions, cardiovascular disease, or other health vulnerabilities should monitor air quality advisories during active burn periods.

Resources for Monitoring Air Quality

  • AirNow Fire and Smoke Map (fire.airnow.gov): Shows current PM2.5 from wildfires and other sources; developed through a joint EPA and USFS AirFire team partnership. The best resource for seeing wildfire-specific air quality impacts.
  • AirNow (airnow.gov): Tracks AQI across all monitoring stations nationwide; includes official EPA monitoring network data.
  • Washington Department of Ecology (ecology.wa.gov): Provides real-time AQI monitoring data across Washington state, with smoke advisories and prescribed burn notifications.
  • Oregon DEQ: Oregon's air quality monitoring network provides real-time data for communities across the state, including prescribed burn smoke advisories.
  • Purple Air Network: Community-based PM2.5 sensors provide hyperlocal air quality data, particularly useful during prescribed burns when official monitors may not capture localized impacts near burn areas.

Preparing for Next Season

The 2026 smoke season prompted many Pacific Northwest households to invest in indoor air filtration, N95 and KN95 masks, and air quality monitoring tools. Health officials recommend maintaining these preparations year-round, as smoke events from wildfires and prescribed burns can occur at any time.

Community air filtration centers — "clean air shelters" established in schools, community centers, and other public buildings during smoke events — were utilized extensively during the summer. Local emergency management agencies are encouraging communities to identify and prepare these facilities in advance of the 2027 season, recognizing that early planning makes a significant difference in public health outcomes when smoke events occur.