Wildfire Smoke Triggers Air Quality Advisories Across Oregon; Washington Issues Statewide Burn Ban

Wildfire smoke from dozens of active fires across the Pacific Northwest is significantly degrading air quality across Oregon, Washington, and parts of Idaho — affecting millions of residents and prompting health agencies to issue a wave of advisories and warnings heading into September 2026.

Oregon DEQ Advisories: Deschutes, Baker, Clackamas Counties

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has issued air quality advisories covering a broad swath of the state. As of September 1:

Deschutes County is transitioning to an intermittent smoke advisory effective this evening (Tuesday, September 1), with DEQ and partner agencies continuing to monitor conditions. Poor air quality has been affecting the Bend area and surrounding communities for multiple days.
Baker County in northeastern Oregon is also expected to experience intermittent smoke through at least the afternoon of September 2.
Eastern Clackamas County is under a separate smoke advisory, with DEQ expecting intermittent impacts as smoke plumes shift with wind direction.
Central Oregon communities, including areas near Hood River and Prineville, have been experiencing periods of very unhealthy air quality at the peak of regional fire activity.

The Marion County area around Salem has also been affected, with the Statesman Journal reporting that an air quality advisory has been issued for eastern Marion County and central Oregon.

Smoke Plumes Drifting Eastward

Satellite imagery tracked by air quality monitoring services shows that fires across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana are generating individual moderate-to-heavy density smoke plumes that are generally drifting eastward. This means communities downwind — including Spokane, the Tri-Cities, and parts of the Snake River Plain — are also experiencing degraded air quality even where no fires are immediately nearby.

Washington: Emergency Burn Ban Through September 30

The Washington State Department of Ecology has confirmed that an emergency burn ban is in effect statewide through noon on September 30, 2026. The ban prohibits all forms of outdoor burning, including:

Recreational fires and campfires on private land
Agricultural burning and field burning
Residential debris burning
Any other open outdoor burning

Violations of the burn ban can result in substantial fines. The ban does not apply to propane or natural gas fire pits or cooking fires in designated campgrounds where fires are permitted by the site operator.

Health Guidance for Smoke Days

The Oregon Health Authority and Washington State Department of Health are advising all residents — especially those in affected areas — to take the following steps on days with elevated smoke levels:

Stay indoors with windows and doors closed when possible
Use air purifiers with HEPA filters if available
Wear an N95 or KN95 mask if you must be outdoors
Avoid strenuous outdoor exercise
Check the Oregon Smoke Information blog and Washington Ecology's wildfire smoke page for daily updates

Children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions are at the highest risk and should take extra precautions on smoky days. Even healthy adults can experience symptoms from prolonged smoke exposure.

Air Quality Index: Know Your Risk Level