Wildfire smoke from multiple active fires has produced persistent air quality problems across Central Oregon and portions of the Cascades, with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issuing and extending air quality advisories covering a broad swath of the state's interior through early September 2026.

The most persistent smoke concerns are concentrated in Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson, eastern Marion, and southern Wasco counties, where a combination of active wildfires and atmospheric conditions known as temperature inversions has trapped fine particulate matter close to the ground — creating unhealthy air quality for sensitive populations and, at times, all residents.

Which Counties Are Affected

According to the Oregon DEQ smoke advisory, the following areas have experienced significant smoke impacts:

  • Deschutes County (Bend/Redmond area): Transitioned to an intermittent smoke advisory as of early September, with continued monitoring. Residents can expect moderate to unhealthy air on days when smoke settles into the basin.
  • Crook and Jefferson counties: Under advisory due to multiple fires burning in adjacent terrain, including fires in the Deschutes National Forest and eastern Cascades.
  • Eastern Marion and southern Wasco counties: Affected by smoke transport from central Oregon fires, with the air quality advisory expected to remain in effect through the current weather pattern.
  • Baker County and eastern Clackamas County: Intermittent smoke impacts expected as wind patterns shift.

Western Oregon, including the Portland metro area, experienced its own round of smoke in late August as easterly winds pushed smoke from interior fires toward the coast, triggering an air quality advisory that covered parts of western Oregon through early September.

Health Impacts and Who Is Most at Risk

Wildfire smoke contains fine particulate matter (PM2.5), carbon monoxide, and numerous other compounds that pose serious health risks. The populations most vulnerable to smoke exposure include:

  • Children and infants, whose lungs are still developing
  • Adults over age 65, who are more susceptible to respiratory and cardiovascular effects
  • People with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other respiratory conditions
  • Pregnant women, for whom smoke exposure poses risks both to themselves and to fetal development
  • Anyone engaged in heavy outdoor physical activity, which dramatically increases the volume of air — and particles — inhaled

Health officials are recommending that residents in affected areas limit outdoor activity during periods of poor air quality, keep windows and doors closed, and use air purifiers with HEPA filters where available. N95 respirators can provide meaningful protection for those who must be outdoors during advisory periods.

How to Monitor Air Quality

Several resources are available to Central Oregon residents for tracking smoke and air quality conditions in real time:

  • oregonsmoke.org — Oregon DEQ's dedicated smoke information site with advisories, forecasts, and guidance
  • airnow.gov — EPA's national air quality information portal, with hourly updates by location
  • Purple Air map — Network of community air quality sensors providing hyperlocal PM2.5 readings
  • Fire and Smoke Map (fireandsmokemap.epa.gov) — Integrated view of fire locations, smoke plumes, and air quality monitoring

Outlook

The incoming weather pattern — cooler temperatures and increased moisture moving into the Pacific Northwest through the coming week — is expected to provide gradual improvement in air quality across the region. However, smoke impacts may temporarily worsen during the overnight hours when air cools and settles, trapping smoke in valleys and basins before daytime heating helps ventilate the lower atmosphere.

DEQ advises residents to check oregonsmoke.org each morning for updated advisory information rather than relying on visual assessment of outdoor conditions, as smoke can sometimes be present at unhealthy concentrations without being clearly visible to the naked eye.