How Do I Check Portland Air Quality?

The outlook for fire season is not good here in the Pacific Northwest.

Already we have the dramatic, 500-acre Tunnel 5 fire in the Columbia Gorge, for one. Northwest Oregon has an “above normal” fire risk for July, August, and possibly September. Here’s how you can cope.

How to Check Air Quality

Search your zip code in this tool to see the EPA’s Air Quality Index, a six-tier scale that represents different levels of pollution. Measured from 0 to 500, the higher the value means the greater the air pollution. Anything above 100 is considered unhealthy. (Right now we’re fine.)

If you want to see what the forest fire smoke is up to, the New York Times has a map.

If you’re curious about what’s happening across the world, there are maps of that too.

Portland’s Air Quality Is Worsening

In 2022, air quality declined in Portland and across the whole state, thanks to worse wildfire seasons. But the problem of pollution and its health risks aren’t unique to Portland.

• Related: Why the Portland air quality is a problem.

How to Protect Yourself

When the smoke gets bad, health officials recommend staying indoors as much as you can, and keeping your windows shut, particularly if you have a respiratory condition. Wear a good-fitting N95 mask if you have to go outdoors. (Surgical and cloth masks don’t help.)

You can also get a filter for indoors or make your own.

Adapted from City Cast Chicago newsletter editor Sidney Madden and City Cast D.C. newsletter editor Kaela Cote-Stemmermann.