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Wildfire Smoke From Pacific Northwest Blazes Creates Hazy Skies and Unhealthy Air Quality Across the United States

Smoke from massive wildfires in the Pacific Northwest is creating hazy skies and unhealthy air quality across a large portion of the United States. As of July 28, 2026, 46 large uncontained fires in Oregon and Washington have burned over 1.6 million acres of wildland. The smoke plume is expected to spread as far as Florida, traveling thousands of miles across the northern U.S. to the Midwest and then down through the South. Health experts warn that fine particulate matter from the smoke can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, potentially causing damage to multiple body systems. Residents in areas such as Boise, Idaho, and parts of eastern Oregon and southern Idaho are urged to limit their time outdoors to avoid harmful levels of airborne particulates. Climate scientist Daniel Swain noted that the overlap of record-breaking warmth, dryness, and low snowpack are significant contributors to these fires. While the smoke is not as severe as the historically toxic air of earlier this month, forecasters expect air quality to reach hazardous levels in many regions by Wednesday.

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