Air quality advisory for Eastern Oregon and parts of Central Oregon [Aviso sobre la calidad del aire]
QUICK FACTS
Location: Baker, Crook, Gilliam, Grant, Harney,
Jefferson, Malheur, Morrow, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wasco and Wheeler
counties
End date: Until further notice
Smoke
source: Multiple
wildfires in Southern, Central and Eastern Oregon.
** Información en español **
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued an air quality advisory Monday, July 27, 2026, for Baker, Crook, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Jefferson, Malheur, Morrow, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wasco, Wheeler counties due to smoke from Southern, Central and Eastern Oregon.
DEQ expects the air quality advisory to last until further notice. DEQ and partner agencies will continue to monitor smoke in the area.
DEQ expects intermittent smoke in Deschutes, Eastern Douglas, Hood River, northern Jackson, northern Klamath, Lake and Sherman counties.
Smoke levels can change rapidly depending on weather. Check current conditions on the Oregon Smoke Information Blog, DEQ’s Air Quality Index, or by downloading the free OregonAIR app on your smartphone.
Smoke can irritate the eyes and lungs and worsen some medical conditions. People most at risk include infants and young children, people with heart or lung disease, older adults and pregnant people.
Protect yourself and your family when smoke levels are high:
- Stay
inside if possible. Keep windows and doors closed.
If it’s too hot, run air conditioning on recirculate or consider moving to
a cooler location.
- Avoid
strenuous outdoor activity.
- Use high-efficiency
particulate air (HEPA) filters in indoor ventilation systems or portable
air purifiers. Or create
your own air purifying filter by following these instructions.
- Be aware
of smoke in your area and avoid places with the highest levels.
- When
air quality improves to moderate or healthy (yellow or green on the Air
Quality Index), open windows and doors to air out homes and businesses.
- If you have a breathing plan for a medical
condition, be sure to follow it and keep any needed medications refilled.
Cloth, dust and surgical masks don’t protect from the harmful particles in smoke. N95 or P100 respirators approved by NIOSH may offer protection, but they must be properly selected and worn. Select a NIOSH-approved respirator with a N, R or P alongside the number 95, 99 or 100. Learn how to put on and use a respirator. Respirators won’t work for children as they don’t come in children’s sizes. People with heart or lung conditions should consult their health care provider before wearing a respirator.
· Find a cleaner
air space in your area: Visit 211info.org and search for
“Wildfire Related Clean Air Shelters.” Or call 211 during business hours (8
a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday)
· Learn more about protecting your health during
wildfires
Media contacts:
·
DEQ: Dylan Darling, 541-600-6119, dylan.darling@deq.oregon.gov
·
DEQ: Chris Varley, 503-933-0514, chris.varley@deq.oregon.gov
Smoke rises from the Bench Fire near Madras on Friday, July 24, 2026. Photo from InciWeb.
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