Smoke from the dozens of wildfires burning across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho has triggered air quality advisories across a wide swath of the Pacific Northwest, with conditions ranging from Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy in the hardest-hit communities. Health officials are urging vulnerable residents to limit outdoor exposure and stay indoors with windows closed.

Oregon Air Quality Advisories

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has issued air quality advisories for at least 13 counties in the eastern and central regions of the state. Counties currently under advisory include:

  • Baker, Crook, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Jefferson, Malheur, Morrow, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wasco, and Wheeler counties

The advisory is expected to continue indefinitely as long as the fires burning in Southern, Central, and Eastern Oregon remain active. Communities including Madras, Prineville, La Grande, and Burns are among those experiencing elevated smoke levels. An Air Quality Advisory remains in effect at least through Monday for much of central and eastern Oregon and Washington.

Idaho Under Broad Smoke Advisory

Idaho's Department of Environmental Quality issued an advisory covering 35 of the state's 44 counties, with conditions deteriorating into "unhealthy" and "very unhealthy" ranges across neighboring communities. Counties affected include Ada, Adams, Boise, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, and Valley, among others.

Smoke Reaching Across the Country

Smoke from Northwest fires has traveled thousands of miles, creating hazy conditions across large portions of the United States for the second time this month. However, meteorologists note that the smoke from Northwest fires is primarily traveling at higher altitudes, keeping it above the surface layer in most eastern states and limiting ground-level health impacts compared to communities in the source region.

"These fires in the Northwest are farther removed, resulting in the smoke being primarily well enough above the surface to not cause poor to hazardous air quality in the eastern United States," said one National Weather Service forecaster.

Health Guidance for Smoke Exposure

Oregon and Idaho DEQ, along with local public health agencies, are advising the following precautions during smoke events:

  • Stay indoors with windows and doors closed
  • Use air purifiers with HEPA filters if available
  • Avoid strenuous outdoor exercise when smoke is visible or AQI is above 100
  • Wear an N95 respirator mask if you must go outdoors — cloth masks do not filter fine particles
  • Check air quality at AirNow.gov before planning outdoor activities
  • Those with asthma, heart disease, the elderly, and children are at highest risk and should be especially cautious

When Will It End?

Smoke conditions are unlikely to significantly improve until the fires are contained or until a significant weather pattern change brings precipitation to the region. The National Weather Service forecast offers little hope in the near term — temperatures will remain 5-15°F above normal across the inland Northwest, and humidity will stay critically low. Residents in affected areas should plan for smoke impacts to continue through at least early August.