Wildfire smoke from dozens of active fires across the Pacific Northwest continues to degrade air quality across the region, prompting air quality alerts in multiple counties and a statewide emergency burn ban in Washington that will remain in effect through September 30, 2026.

Washington's Statewide Burn Ban

The Washington State Department of Ecology has issued an emergency burn ban covering the entire state, effective immediately and running through noon on September 30, 2026. The ban prohibits all outdoor burning, including recreational fires, debris burns, and agricultural burning. Violators may face significant fines.

Officials say the ban is necessary given the combination of active fires already burning across Eastern Washington and the continued dry and hot conditions that make any open burning an unacceptable risk. The Ecology Department is urging residents to report any unauthorized burning by contacting their local fire district or calling 911.

Air Quality Alerts Across the Region

Multiple air quality agencies have issued alerts for wildfire smoke affecting counties across the Pacific Northwest:

  • Northwest Clean Air Agency: Alert issued for Skagit and Whatcom counties
  • Southwest Clean Air Agency: Alert issued for Skamania County, with intermittent impacts expected in neighboring areas
  • Eastern Oregon and Eastern Washington communities are experiencing elevated PM2.5 levels from multiple nearby large fires
  • Broad layers of smoke from fires in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana — combined with Canadian fire smoke — are producing localized heavy-density smoke plumes affecting communities across the region

Health Guidance for Smoky Days

Health officials are urging residents — especially those with asthma, heart disease, COPD, or other respiratory conditions, as well as children and the elderly — to take precautions during high-smoke periods:

  • Stay indoors with windows and doors closed when possible
  • Use air purifiers with HEPA filters if available
  • Wear a properly fitted N95 or P100 respirator if outdoor activity is unavoidable
  • Avoid strenuous outdoor exercise on days with unhealthy air quality
  • Check current air quality at AirNow.gov or through your local air quality agency

Air quality conditions can change rapidly as fire behavior and wind patterns shift. Residents are encouraged to check current conditions throughout the day rather than relying solely on morning forecasts.

Three Queens Fire Smoke Diminishing

One piece of positive news: smoke production from the Three Queens Fire, burning northwest of Little Kachess Lake in Washington at approximately 3,600 acres, has decreased due to recent rainfall and continued firefighter efforts. Smoke impacts from this incident in the Snoqualmie Pass corridor are expected to be reduced in coming days.