Washington's 2026 Wildfire Smoke Season: A Public Health Review

As fire season winds down across the Pacific Northwest, Washington state's Department of Ecology has released its air quality review of the 2026 wildfire season — and the data paints a stark picture. Most parts of the state experienced at least one day of air quality rated "unhealthy for sensitive groups" or worse this summer, with some counties recording their worst smoke exposure in at least 20 years.

Widespread Smoke Impacts

Washington Ecology's air monitoring network documented prolonged periods of unhealthy air quality across virtually every corner of the state this fire season. The primary exception was coastal Washington, where marine air largely kept smoke at bay. But for residents east of the Cascades — and for many in the Puget Sound region during smoke transport events — this summer's air was frequently dangerous.

"Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" (USG) is designated when the Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeds 100. At that threshold, children, the elderly, and those with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions are at increased health risk. This summer, many locations in eastern and central Washington spent multiple consecutive days far above that threshold.

Chelan and Okanogan Counties Hit Hardest

Ecology's analysis identified Chelan and Okanogan counties as the most severely impacted areas in the state. Their proximity to major fire complexes — including fires burning in the Okanogan Highlands and the Little Giant Fire in Chelan County — resulted in extended periods of heavy smoke that, in several counties, set new records for smoke-day totals over the past two decades.

Northeast Washington counties also experienced significant smoke exposure, driven by both local fires and smoke transport from large fires burning in neighboring Idaho and Montana.

Health Impacts and Vulnerable Populations

Public health officials across Eastern Washington issued repeated health advisories throughout July and August, urging residents to limit outdoor activities, keep windows closed, and use air purifiers where available. Schools in several Chelan and Okanogan county districts cancelled outdoor activities for extended periods.

Air quality experts note that the health burden of wildfire smoke is not evenly distributed. Outdoor workers, those without air conditioning, and communities with limited access to indoor spaces or air filtration face disproportionate exposure.

Prescribed Burns Now Ramping Up

With fire season drawing to a close and autumn moisture arriving, agencies are pivoting to prescribed burning — the planned, controlled use of fire to reduce fuel loads and improve forest health. Washington DNR's burn portal is now active with a calendar of upcoming prescribed burns across the state, and residents can sign up for notifications when a burn is planned near them.

On the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, fall prescribed fire and fuels reduction work is already underway, with burns ongoing as of late October across multiple units of the forest. All prescribed burns remain weather-dependent and may be cancelled if conditions are not suitable.

While prescribed burns produce their own smoke, fire managers note that the short-term, localized impacts are far preferable to the months-long smoke events generated by uncontrolled wildfires in overgrown forests.

Looking Ahead

A strong storm system is forecast to bring rain to the lowlands and heavy snow to the Cascades between November 4 and 7, effectively closing out the 2026 fire season for western Washington. Air quality forecasters are not anticipating any additional significant smoke events this fall.