Weeks of heavy smoke from Oregon, Washington, and Idaho wildfires have tested the respiratory health of Pacific Northwest residents this season — and while conditions are improving, air quality remains a concern in some areas as residual fires continue to burn and fall prescribed burns get underway.

Washington Statewide Burn Ban Ends September 30

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson's emergency statewide burn ban, issued in response to severe drought and extreme fire conditions, expires at noon on September 30, 2026, according to the Washington State Department of Ecology. The ban was put in place as fires ravaged eastern Washington during the peak fire season and prevented residential and agricultural burning from adding to an already overtaxed air quality situation.

Residents planning to resume burning on October 1 should first check with their local air quality authority and county burn regulations, as regional restrictions may still apply even after the statewide order lifts.

Oregon Air Quality Advisory Status

Oregon DEQ air quality advisories issued during the September 1–2 smoke event — which affected most of the state — have since been lifted for most counties as wind and precipitation patterns shifted. The Oregon Smoke Information blog (oregonsmoke.org) is the state's primary resource for real-time air quality forecasts and advisories.

Deschutes County transitioned to an intermittent smoke advisory in early September, with air quality fluctuating based on wind patterns and fire behavior. Residents in the Bend metro area should continue to monitor AirNow for current conditions, particularly as fall prescribed burns begin on the Deschutes and Ochoco national forests this week.

Health Guidance for Smoke Exposure

Health officials across the region recommend the following steps to protect yourself and your family:

  • Check AirNow.gov daily for the Air Quality Index (AQI) in your area. An AQI above 100 is unhealthy for sensitive groups; above 150 is unhealthy for all.
  • Stay indoors when smoke is heavy, especially for children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with asthma, heart disease, or other respiratory conditions.
  • Use air filtration. HEPA air purifiers can significantly reduce indoor particulate levels. Keep doors and windows closed during poor air quality events.
  • Wear an N95 mask if you must be outdoors when smoke is heavy. Cloth masks and surgical masks do not filter fine smoke particles effectively.
  • Create a clean room in your home — a room with windows sealed and an air purifier running — as a refuge during severe smoke events.

Looking Ahead

With major wildfires moving into final containment phases and fall precipitation beginning to arrive in parts of the Pacific Northwest, overall smoke conditions are expected to continue improving. However, prescribed burns planned on the Deschutes and Ochoco national forests this week may produce localized smoke, particularly in low-wind conditions or when inversions trap smoke in valleys.

The National Weather Service Boise office continues to monitor smoke forecasts for the region. Residents can also use the USFS Fire and Smoke Map at fire.airnow.gov for near-real-time satellite smoke plume data layered with monitoring station readings.