Smoke from dozens of active wildfires continues to create hazardous air quality conditions across Oregon and Idaho, with state and county health agencies maintaining air quality advisories that have been in place for much of July 2026. As of July 29, air quality was measuring at the "Unhealthy" level — the fourth of six tiers on the Air Quality Index (AQI) — in Prineville, Burns, Cove, and Ontario, Oregon.

Current Advisories

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has extended and expanded air quality advisories across a broad swath of the state. Counties currently under advisory include:

  • Morrow, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wasco, and Wheeler counties — due to smoke from southern, central, and eastern Oregon fires
  • Harney and Malheur counties — direct smoke from the Coleman Creek, Bald Mountain, and other nearby fires
  • Jefferson and Deschutes counties — smoke from the Bench Fire and surrounding fires in central Oregon

Smoke from the Pacific Northwest fires has spread well beyond state borders, creating hazy skies and unhealthy conditions across large portions of the United States for the second time this month — a sign of the scale and intensity of this year's fire season.

Health Guidance

Under the "Unhealthy" AQI category (AQI 151–200), the general public — not just sensitive groups — may begin to experience health effects from exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Oregon DEQ and health officials recommend the following:

  • Stay indoors with doors and windows closed; use air conditioning if available
  • Avoid strenuous outdoor activity — exercise indoors on high-smoke days
  • Use air purifiers with HEPA filters if available
  • Wear an N95 or KN95 mask if you must be outdoors for extended periods
  • Sensitive individuals — including children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with heart or lung disease — should avoid outdoor exposure entirely
  • Check AirNow.gov for real-time AQI data at your location before going outside

Improving Conditions, but Smoke Remains

While conditions have improved somewhat compared to earlier in the week — when portions of Oregon and Idaho were recording "Very Unhealthy" to "Hazardous" levels — health officials warn that the underlying fire situation has not changed substantially. Smoke concentrations can shift rapidly with wind direction, and any increase in fire activity from afternoon heating or dry thunderstorms could quickly worsen air quality again.

Fires are expected to remain active through at least early August, and residents in affected areas are advised to plan for continued smoke impacts throughout the coming weeks.

Resources

  • Oregon Smoke Information: oregonsmoke.org
  • Real-time AQI: AirNow.gov
  • Oregon DEQ Air Quality: oregon.gov/deq/aq
  • Idaho DEQ Air Quality: deq.idaho.gov