EDITOR’S NOTE: About the only counties not listed below are the coastal counties, but don’t let that fool you! Currently (Aug. 4, 2026 @1:30PM) the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Nehalem is 126 (unhealthy for sensitive groups), Tillamook is at 93 (moderate) and even at those levels, you should limit time outdoors. The smoke and hazy irritates eyes and the throat, so drink lots of water. The forecast calls for this to continue through Wednesday, and hopefully some relief (change of wind direction on Thursday.) With the warm temperatures, low humidity and winds, be extra careful about fires.
Aug. 4, 2026
QUICK FACTS
Location: Portland-Vancouver metro area (Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington counties as well as Clark County in Washington), as well as Baker, Benton, Columbia, Crook, Deschutes, eastern Douglas, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Hood River, Jefferson, eastern Lane, Linn, Malheur, Marion, Morrow, Polk, Sherman, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wasco, Wheeler, and Yamhill counties
End date: Until further notice
Smoke source: Multiple wildfires in Oregon and Washington
** Versión en español estará disponible próximamente en oregonhumo.org **
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Lane Regional Air Protection Agency, Washington Southwest Clean Air Agency, issued an air quality advisory Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, due to smoke from multiple wildfires in Oregon and Washington for the following areas:
- Portland-Vancouver metro area (Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington counties as well as Clark County in Washington)
- Baker County
- Benton County
- Columbia County
- Crook County
- Deschutes County
- eastern Douglas County
- Gilliam County
- Grant County
- Harney County
- Hood River County
- Jefferson County
- central and eastern Lane County
- Linn County
- Malheur County
- Marion County
- Morrow County
- Polk County
- Sherman County
- Umatilla County
- Union County
- Wallowa County
- Wasco County
- Wheeler County
- Yamhill County
The agencies expect the air quality advisory to last until further notice. DEQ and partner agencies will continue to monitor smoke.
DEQ and LRAPA expect intermittent smoke in Clatsop, Coos, Curry, western Douglas, Klamath, Lake, western Lane, Lincoln, and Tillamook counties.
SWCAA also issued an ozone air quality advisory starting at noon Tuesday, Aug. 4, through Thursday, Aug. 6, due to smog in the Vancouver metro area (Clark County).
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.
Additional resources:
- Find a cleaner air space in your area: Visit 211.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: Chris Varley, 503-933-0514, chris.varley@deq.oregon.gov
- DEQ: Dylan Darling, 541-600-6119, dylan.darling@deq.oregon.gov
- SWCAA: Uri Papish, Vancouver, WA, 360-574-3058, uri@swcleanair.gov
- LRAPA: Travis Knudsen, 541-736-1056, ext. 217, tknudsen@lrapa-or.gov
- Local and Tribal contacts
