Track air quality & fires
Find information about current conditions on AirNow’s Fire and Smoke Map. It shows:
- Locations of wildfires
- Air quality indexes from local air monitors
Before heading out to an outdoor activity, make sure to check:
- If there are any fires nearby
- If smoke is affecting the area
- What the air quality is
Use this information to plan activities throughout the wildfire season. It can also help with travel plans outside of the metro area.
Understand how to read AQI
Air Quality Index (AQI) uses different colors to show how good or harmful the air is to breathe. Each color relates to recommendations for spending time outdoors.
- Green: Air quality is good. Have fun outdoors.
- Yellow: Air quality is moderate. Some people may be affected by the air quality. Consider staying indoors.
- Orange: Air quality is unhealthy for at-risk groups. Consider wearing a mask. Keep outdoor activities at a moderate or light intensity. People at higher risk may want to stay inside.
- Red: Air quality is unhealthy. Wearing a mask is recommended. Consider rescheduling or limiting the intensity of outdoor activities to light or stay indoors.
- Purple: Air quality is very unhealthy. Reschedule activities and stay indoors.
- Maroon: Air quality is hazardous. Reschedule activities and stay indoors.
Follow the Oregon Health Authority's guidance for children and youth under 18.
Find more information about the Air Quality Index on the EPA's website.
Adjust outdoor physical activity
Wildfire smoke is potentially harmful to everyone — even healthy people. While it’s important to stay physically active for your overall health, make adjustments when it’s smoky outdoors.
Monitor air quality closely
- Track local conditions on AirNow’s Fire and Smoke Map
- Adjust to current AQI levels
- AQI 51-100 (Moderate/Yellow): Safe for most, but individuals with asthma or respiratory issues should monitor symptoms closely.
- AQI 101-150 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups/Orange): Limit strenuous or prolonged outdoor workouts.
- AQI > 150 (Unhealthy, Very Unhealthy or Hazardous/Red, Purple or Maroon): Cancel all outdoor training and competitions, or relocate to a facility with filtered air.
Modify your workout
- Reduce intensity to reduce your breathing rate.
- Shorten the time you workout to decrease cumulative smoke exposure.
- Move indoors to a space with cleaner air.
Listen to your body
- Watch for symptoms, such as coughing, scratchy throat, burning eyes or shortness of breath.
- If you experience any of these symptoms, immediately stop exercising, get indoors and rest.
If you work or live outdoors
People who spend a lot of time outdoors should take specific steps to be ready for smoky days.
Outdoor workers
Employers can offer alternative assignments for outdoor workers with respiratory sensitivity, such as asthma. During unhealthy or hazardous conditions, employers should consider alternative assignments for all outdoor workers. Visit Oregon OSHA's wildfire smoke page for more information.
People experiencing homelessness
It’s important to take indoor rest breaks when the air quality is poor. During smoky days, visit multco.us/smoke to check what clean are resources and spaces are open, or call 2-1-1.
Prepare for a smoke event
Take steps to create cleaner indoor air
- Make a plan to keep wildfire smoke out of your home when the AQI is high.
- Install air cleaners/purifiers to remove any smoke that gets into the house and clean/replace air filters.
- Contact a weatherization service to identify and seal any gaps in your home that might allow smoke in.
- Install an air monitor inside to track and see what the air quality is like compared to the outside.
- Reduce indoor burning from common sources such as candles, incense, cooking and gas stoves.
Make sure you have needed supplies
- Have a several day-supply of medications and groceries that don’t require cooking.
- Stock up on N95 masks*, air cleaner filters and AC/HVAC/furnace filters.
- Check batteries in carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. If they are older than 10 years, you may want to buy new ones.
- Check fire extinguishers.
*Note: KN95 masks/respirators are no longer recommended to protect from smoke exposure.
Make a plan in case you need to evacuate
Think about where you can go if the air inside your home becomes too smoky.
For pregnant people, have an evacuation plan that includes how to access prenatal care. Also, learn to recognize the signs of preterm labor.