Thick wildfire smoke from dozens of active fires across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho is blanketing the Pacific Northwest, triggering air quality alerts in counties across all three states. Health officials are urging vulnerable populations to limit outdoor exposure and take steps to improve indoor air quality as smoke from the region's historic fire season continues to accumulate.

Washington Air Quality Alerts

Some of the worst air quality in the region is occurring in central and eastern Washington, where several counties are experiencing particulate matter at "Very Unhealthy" levels — the second-worst category on the Air Quality Index (AQI), corresponding to AQI values above 200.

  • Chelan County: Heavy smoke from the Little Giant Fire (147,537 acres) continues to impact the Lake Wenatchee and Chelan areas. Air quality alerts remain in effect.
  • Douglas County: Smoke transport from Okanogan and Chelan fires is affecting communities east of the Cascades.
  • Okanogan County: The Sinlahekin Fire and neighboring incidents are producing dense local smoke. Air quality alerts are in effect.
  • Spokane County: Residual smoke from the Spokane Complex continues to affect the Spokane metro area intermittently.
  • Skagit and Whatcom Counties: The Northwest Clean Air Agency issued an Air Quality Alert for these western Washington counties, with impacts expected through the weekend.
  • Skamania County: The Southwest Clean Air Agency has issued an alert for wildfire smoke with intermittent impacts also expected in neighboring counties along the Columbia River Gorge.

Oregon Air Quality Alerts

Oregon's Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has been issuing and extending air quality advisories across the state throughout August.

  • Baker and Umatilla Counties: DEQ issued a smoke advisory for these northeastern Oregon counties through at least August 26, with intermittent impacts expected to continue. The Hagen Fire in Umatilla County (60,372 acres, 33% contained) is a primary contributor.
  • Central Oregon and the Cascades: Patchy smoke from the Rowe Creek Complex, Grasshopper Fire, and other incidents is expected to linger through the Columbia River Gorge and adjacent communities. Reduced visibility has been reported on Highway 35 near the Grasshopper Fire area.
  • Klamath County: Smoke from the Wrights Spring Fire continues to affect southern Oregon.

Health Guidance

Wildfire smoke contains fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and other harmful compounds that penetrate deep into the lungs. Health officials recommend the following steps when smoke is heavy:

  • Stay indoors with windows and doors closed. Use air conditioning in recirculate mode if available.
  • Run a HEPA air purifier or create a DIY air cleaner using a box fan and furnace filter rated MERV-13 or higher.
  • Wear an N95 or KN95 respirator if you must be outdoors. Cloth masks and surgical masks offer minimal protection against PM2.5.
  • Avoid strenuous outdoor exercise on days with elevated smoke.
  • Check on neighbors, especially elderly residents and those with respiratory conditions, who may need assistance.
  • People with asthma, heart disease, or lung conditions should follow the guidance of their healthcare provider.

Real-time air quality readings are available at airnow.gov. Washington smoke forecasts can be found at the Washington Smoke Blog (wasmoke.blogspot.com). Oregon residents can monitor smoke and fire information through oregon.gov/deq/aq.