Air Quality

Rainfall near the Cascades is clearing wildfire smoke from much of Oregon and Washington, though Southwest Washington around Vancouver remains under an air quality advisory for smoke drifting from Oregon fires.

Air quality advisories for wildfire smoke have affected the Portland metro area and Southwest Washington this week, driven by smoke from Oregon and Washington fires and Canadian wildfire transport. Improving weather — including increased rainfall west of the Cascades — is expected to bring relief.

While rain-driven improvements are bringing cleaner air to Portland, Seattle, and communities west of the Cascades, eastern Washington and Idaho continue to see elevated wildfire smoke levels, with air quality reaching the Unhealthy range in parts of southern Idaho this week.

Health officials urge Pacific Northwest residents to remain vigilant about wildfire smoke exposure even as fire activity eases. PM2.5 from wildfire smoke poses serious respiratory risks, with tribal communities, children, and those with underlying conditions facing the greatest danger. N95 masks, HEPA air purifiers, and AirNow.gov are key protective resources.

Wildfire smoke from eight Washington fires and six Oregon fires continues to affect air quality across the Pacific Northwest. Health officials urge sensitive groups to limit outdoor exposure and use N95 masks when outside.

Smoke from regional wildfires continues to affect Pacific Northwest air quality. Here's how to read AQI levels, protect your health, and stay informed during smoke events this fall.

Wildfire smoke from eastern Washington, the northern Cascades, and British Columbia drove AQI readings to unhealthy levels at stations from Kennewick to Seattle this week, prompting health warnings across the Pacific Northwest.

Smoke from smoldering Cascade fires continues to pool in low-lying valleys around Stehekin, Lake Wenatchee, and Cle Elum, while Oregon's tourism season was significantly disrupted by smoke from multiple large fires.

Wildfire smoke from dozens of active fires continues to affect air quality across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. While conditions have improved from the season's worst levels in late July and early August, smoke remains a periodic health concern as late-season fires burn and atmospheric conditions fluctuate.

From Seattle to Portland to Boise, wildfire smoke has dominated air quality conditions across the Pacific Northwest this summer, briefly pushing cities onto lists of the world's most polluted urban areas. Health officials urge residents to monitor AQI and limit outdoor exposure.

Weeks of wildfire smoke have triggered air quality advisories across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, with health agencies urging residents to limit outdoor exposure while tourism boards report significant disruption to the late-summer travel season.

Air quality alerts remain active across 13 eastern Washington counties and multiple Oregon and Idaho regions. ODEQ, Washington Ecology, and Idaho DEQ continue issuing advisories as 27 active large PNW fires push smoke into communities.

Wildfire smoke from fires across Washington, Idaho, and Montana continues to affect air quality in the Pacific Northwest. Wenatchee hit an AQI of 193 on September 12. Tips on protecting yourself from smoke exposure.

Wildfire smoke has repeatedly blanketed communities across Oregon and Washington in 2026. With fire danger remaining elevated through fall, here's what residents need to know about monitoring and protecting themselves from poor air quality.

Air quality has improved to Good levels across much of the Pacific Northwest following early September rain and containment progress on major fires. Redmond shows AQI 22, Seattle AQI 11 — but forecasters warn conditions could deteriorate again as dry weather returns.

After weeks of hazardous smoke, air quality is improving in parts of the Pacific Northwest — but health officials warn that ongoing fires and the forecast for elevated danger through December mean more smoke events are likely this fall.

An Air Quality Alert was issued Wednesday for cities in central and northeastern Washington as wildfire smoke pushed through the region. Health officials are urging sensitive groups to limit outdoor activity as PM2.5 levels rose into the unhealthy range in some areas.

Smoke from dozens of active fires across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho continues to intermittently degrade Pacific Northwest air quality, with conditions ranging from Good to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups depending on location and wind patterns.

Washington State's emergency burn ban runs through September 30, covering all 39 counties as 13 large fires burn statewide. Smoke from Central Washington fires and transported Oregon smoke continues to affect air quality, with west winds Tuesday expected to bring temporary relief.

Oregon's Department of Environmental Quality has issued air quality advisories covering Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson, eastern Marion, and southern Wasco counties as ongoing wildfire smoke produces unhealthy air for sensitive groups across Central Oregon.