With fire season building across the Pacific Northwest, air quality agencies in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho are monitoring conditions closely and reminding residents — especially those with health vulnerabilities — to prepare for smoke impacts that often arrive with little warning during active fire weather.

Current Air Quality Conditions

As of late June, air quality in the Pacific Northwest remains largely in the "Good" to "Moderate" range across most of the region, including Portland and the western valleys. Eastern Washington communities near active fires, including areas downwind of the Kartar and Upriver fires in Okanogan and Spokane counties, saw elevated particulate readings during periods of active burning this past week. The Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency and Washington State Department of Ecology are monitoring conditions daily and will issue advisories as needed.

Smoke Season Is Coming

Historically, Western Oregon and Washington begin experiencing significant wildfire smoke impacts in July and August when large fires ignite in the Cascades and interior ranges. This year, with fuel conditions comparable to the heavy fire years of 2015 and 2018, smoke forecasters are preparing for an early and potentially prolonged smoke season across the inland Northwest. Communities in the Columbia River Gorge corridor and the Willamette Valley are often heavily impacted when easterly flow patterns carry smoke from interior fires to the coast.

Health Tips for Smoke Events

  • Check air quality daily: Use AirNow.gov or the AQI app to monitor your local index before spending time outdoors
  • Know your AQI thresholds: Sensitive groups should limit prolonged outdoor activity when AQI exceeds 100 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups)
  • Seal your home: Close windows and doors during smoke events; run HVAC systems in recirculation mode
  • Use N95 or KN95 masks: Surgical masks and cloth coverings provide little protection from wildfire smoke particles
  • Create a clean air room: Designate one room with a HEPA air purifier as a retreat during heavy smoke days
  • Stock supplies: Keep extra masks, medications, and supplies on hand in case smoke lingers for days

Resources for Air Quality Information

Residents can track current and forecast air quality conditions through several free resources:

  • AirNow.gov — Federal AQI maps and local readings
  • Oregon DEQ — oregondeq.gov for Oregon-specific advisories
  • Washington Ecology — ecology.wa.gov/air-climate/air-quality/smoke-fire
  • Idaho DEQ — deq.idaho.gov for statewide air quality
  • NWSfire.gov — Smoke forecast modeling from the National Weather Service

Signing up for local county emergency alerts will also provide notification of any air quality emergencies declared during significant smoke events.