By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-07-29 14:18:33 | Updated at 2026-08-10 18:19:08
1 week ago
Thousands of Americans have been told to evacuate their homes and millions more have been warned to shut their windows as a massive air quality emergency blankets several US states.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued air quality alerts for large portions of Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Washington state, urging residents to take action as dangerous wildfires rage across the Pacific Northwest this week.
At least 6,000 people in central and eastern Oregon received a 'Go Now!' evacuation order Tuesday night after major fires were sparked by lightning storms across the region. Fires currently cover over 1.5 million acres in the state, officials revealed.
The major wildfires in both Oregon and Washington have now spread massive plumes of toxin-filled smoke across the region, sending pollution levels into the 'unhealthy' and 'very unhealthy' zones in all five states.
NWS officials warned: 'Pollutants in smoke can cause burning eyes, runny nose, aggravate heart and lung diseases, and aggravate other serious health problems.'
'Limit outdoor activities and keep children indoors if it is smoky. Please follow medical advice if you have a heart or lung condition.'
Wildfire smoke contains fine particulate matter, also known as PM2.5, which consists of microscopic particles of toxic compounds, small enough to penetrate human tissue and cause breathing issues.
Major cities in both Montana and Idaho are expected to feel the brunt of the smoke on Wednesday, including Boise and Twin Falls, Idaho and Billings, Missoula and Great Falls, Montana.
Wildfire smoke is blanketing five states in the Pacific Northwest as over one million acres burn
Air quality monitors have warned that pollution levels have reached the 'very unhealthy' zone in multiple western states
Wildfires have triggered evacuations in central and easter Oregon for thousands of residents
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has connected breathing in PM2.5 to multiple health issues, including aggravated asthma, decreased lung function, irregular heartbeat, heart attacks and premature death for those with heart and lung disease.
Typically, the Air Quality Index (AQI) is measured on a scale from 0 to 500: 'good' (0–50) carries little risk, 'moderate' (51–100) may affect sensitive individuals, 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' (101–150) poses increased risk and 'unhealthy' (151–200) impacts everyone, limiting outdoor activity.
According to live air quality-tracking website IQAir, levels along the Oregon-Idaho border have surpassed 200 in multiple areas, including in Meridian, Idaho, where the pollution levels reached 234 by 10am ET on Wednesday.
If outdoor air quality reaches the 300 to 500 'hazardous' zone or surpasses that mark, the EPA warns that everyone should avoid all physical activity outside.
This is a breaking story. More details to follow.
