The first week of June, 2026, is Smoke Ready Week. Throughout the week, ORCAA and other air quality agencies around the country (and the world) will share information about the best means of dealing with smoke from wildfire events when it impacts your community.
Here in Washington, one of the best tools you can use is the Washington Smoke Blog. This information-sharing website receives updates from multiple agencies, including ORCAA, to keep Washington residents updated on the latest wildfire and wildfire smoke events around the state and the Pacific NW region.
A post this week highlighted the heightened danger of wildfires this season.
“The winter of 2025-26 was exceptionally warm across the western United States. An already warm November to February was accelerated by an extended duration heat wave in March that broke monthly temperature records across large portions of the Great Basin, Central/Southern Rockies, and Southwest. As a result, by April 1, when snowpack is usually at its annual maximum, this year’s numbers were near or below record values across almost every mountain range in the west.”
Day 2: Smoke Ready Week – Minimize Exposure
If you or someone in your family is sensitive to air pollution or has a health condition, talk with your healthcare provider before wildfire season begins. You may benefit from using an N95 respirator or other particulate mask during smoky conditions.
Now’s the time to gather protective gear and refill medications so they’re ready when you need them. Planning ahead makes it easier to protect your health when the smoke rolls in.
Learn more at ORCAA’s Wildfire Smoke page