Air quality advisories for wildfire smoke remain in effect or recently expired across the Portland metropolitan area and Southwest Washington as the region navigates the tail end of one of its most destructive fire seasons on record. Health officials in both states are urging sensitive groups — including children, the elderly, and people with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions — to limit outdoor exposure when smoke conditions deteriorate.

The Portland metro area has been under an air quality advisory tied to wildfire smoke drifting from multiple active Oregon and Washington fires. Across the river, Vancouver and Southwest Washington have seen conditions classified as unhealthy due to smoke drifting northward from Oregon's active 2026 fire season, compounded by an ozone advisory issued at the same time.

Where the Smoke Is Coming From

Oregon's 2026 wildfire season burned more than 2.3 million acres — shattering the previous state record — and the cumulative smoke output has impacted air quality across the Pacific Northwest for weeks at a time. While the largest fires are now largely contained, residual smoke from still-active incidents continues to affect regional air quality under certain wind patterns.

Canadian wildfires have also contributed to the smoke burden this season. The 2026 Canadian wildfire season saw more than 949 active fires across the country in mid-July, primarily in the Northwest Territories, Manitoba, British Columbia, and Ontario — with smoke regularly transported south into the Pacific Northwest on prevailing upper-level winds.

Improving Conditions Forecast

The latest weather guidance from NIFC indicates more widespread rainfall is expected near and west of the Cascades in Oregon and Washington over the coming days, which should help clear smoke and improve air quality across the region. Breezy west winds in the Columbia Basin will bring higher relative humidity along with isolated to scattered showers.

Wetting rain is also expected in northern Idaho and western Montana — welcome relief for communities that have endured months of smoke exposure and elevated particulate levels.

Protective Actions

When smoke advisories are in effect, health officials recommend the following steps:

  • Check real-time air quality at AirNow.gov or your local air quality agency's website before heading outdoors.
  • Reduce strenuous outdoor activity when the Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeds 100.
  • Keep windows and doors closed and use HEPA air purifiers indoors if available.
  • Wear a properly fitted N95 or P100 respirator if outdoor activity is unavoidable.
  • Never use candles or gas stoves indoors to avoid adding to indoor particulate levels.
  • Children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with heart or lung conditions should take extra precautions.

Residents should monitor their local air quality district for current advisory status and sign up for alert notifications to stay informed when conditions change rapidly.