Air Quality

With an above-normal 2026 wildfire season forecast for the Pacific Northwest, air quality agencies urge residents to prepare now for potential smoke events, including stocking respirators and understanding the AQI scale.

The Oregon Health Authority has updated its guidelines for outdoor youth activities during wildfire smoke events, lowering the AQI thresholds at which camps and sports programs are advised to cancel or modify activities.

Visit Central Oregon has promoted an interactive online smoke map combining real-time air quality data, smoke forecasts, traffic cameras, and wildfire locations — a single resource for residents and visitors planning outdoor activities.

Oregon released updated, stricter air quality guidelines for youth outdoor activities on June 10, providing clear AQI-based thresholds as wildfire smoke season begins across the Pacific Northwest.

A new study in Science found that wildfire smoke has reversed years of U.S. air quality progress by increasing ground-level ozone — posing a growing public health challenge for the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

Oregon Health Authority revised its air quality guidance for children and youth, tightening thresholds for outdoor activities during wildfire smoke events based on new evidence that smoke harms kids at lower exposure levels than previously thought.

Oregon Health Authority has updated wildfire smoke guidance to classify all children and youth under 18 as sensitive to smoke, lowering the threshold for reducing outdoor activity. The update comes as the 2026 fire season and associated smoke risk ramps up across the PNW.

Northwest air quality agencies observed Smoke Ready Week to urge residents to prepare for wildfire smoke before fire season peaks. Here is how to protect your health with an above-normal season forecast.

The first week of June was designated Smoke Ready Week by air quality agencies across Washington and Oregon, with officials urging residents to prepare protective gear, stock medications, and understand air quality monitoring tools before fire season peaks.

Oregon and Washington air quality agencies are using National Smoke Ready Week (first week of June) to urge residents to stock N-95 masks, build DIY air purifiers, and weatherize homes before peak fire season.

The first week of June is Smoke Ready Week, and air quality agencies across the Pacific Northwest are urging residents to prepare now — before wildfire smoke becomes a health emergency.

Air quality experts are urging Pacific Northwest residents to prepare now for a potentially smoky summer, with above-average wildfire activity forecast across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho by August.

The first week of June is Smoke Ready Week, and air quality agencies across the Pacific Northwest are urging residents to prepare for what could be a smoky summer — from stocking N95 masks to setting up HEPA air purifiers.

Above-normal fire potential forecasts for the Pacific Northwest in 2026 mean wildfire smoke is coming. Here is what residents in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho need to know about monitoring air quality and protecting their health this summer.

Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency and Spokane Regional Health District kicked off Smoke Ready Week on June 1, offering residents daily guidance on health risks, air quality monitoring, and indoor smoke protection ahead of what could be a heavily smoke-impacted summer.

With the 2026 fire season already showing early activity and forecasters warning of a smoky summer, Pacific Northwest residents should understand air quality monitoring tools and health protection strategies now.

Health agencies warn that wildfire smoke can reach communities hundreds of miles from active fires, and urge Pacific Northwest residents to prepare for potentially prolonged air quality events during the 2026 fire season.

Air quality officials are warning Pacific Northwest residents to prepare for significant wildfire smoke events this season, with forecasters projecting an active fire year and smoke impacts expected well beyond immediate fire zones.

As wildfire activity ramps up across the Pacific Northwest, air quality officials are preparing residents for the return of smoke season. This guide explains wildfire smoke health risks, how to monitor air quality in Oregon and Washington, and practical steps to protect yourself during smoke events.

Public health officials are urging Pacific Northwest residents to prepare for wildfire smoke season before it arrives, with resources for monitoring air quality and steps to protect vulnerable household members.