Smoke and Heat: A Deadly Climate Combo Unfolding in Oregon

Oregon's wildfire situation has gone from bad to worse.

Just a few days into August, this year has officially set the record for most acres burned in a single Oregon wildfire season. We're currently sitting at over 2 million acres burned, surpassing the previous record set in 2024. Sadly, the fires are still far from contained, and Oregon's available resources to fight them are spread thin - and there are still months left to go of wildfire season. Our hearts are with each and every Oregonian impacted by the wildfires, and all the firefighters putting their lives on the line to contain them.

Now, two additional factors have entered the equation, elevating the risk across the state:

1. Changing wind patterns have blanketed more of Oregon in smoke. Easterly winds have led to a dramatic increase in haze west of the fires, across the Cascades and into the Willamette Valley, leading to air quality advisories across "most of Oregon." However, this change doesn't mean that the parts of Eastern Oregon that were already dealing with smoke are now in the clear. Rather, a higher total percentage of the state is now at risk of health hazards from poor air quality.
2. Extreme heat is fueling the fire - and increasing the risks to public health. Temperatures in the high-90's and low humidity are on the forecast for much of the state. That means no reprieve for the wildfires already raging, and a higher risk of more fires breaking out in dry conditions.
   
   But there's another, less obvious risk tied to the rising temperatures. Staying safe and cool indoors is much harder to do when the AQI soars. For the over 2 million Oregonians who live without central home cooling, beating the heat likely requires opening windows - for window AC units, box fans, or to let in cooler air at night. But when the air outside isn't healthy to breathe, people are forced into a Catch-22: Stay cool at the risk of letting smoke into your home, or keep the windows closed and swelter
   

Staying safe in heat and smoke

This deadly confluence of factors is the climate crisis on clear display. As OEC works to address the ever-escalating impacts of climate change at the policy-level, it's just as imperative that we keep ourselves - and our neighbors - safe today. Here are some tips to help get you through the hot and smoky season:

• Find a cooling center if you lack central cooling in your home. Libraries, community centers, and dedicated cooling spaces are great options to escape the heat when the air outside is unhealthy to breathe. Multnomah County residents can use this interactive map to find indoor options near you. For Washington County residents, head here ; Clackamas County residents, head here .

• Keep indoor air clean. If you already own an air purifier, now is the time to get it up and running! Explore rebates and incentives through Energy Trust of Oregon . If you're looking for a faster (and cheaper) solution, making your own air purifier is easier than you might think; all you need is a box fan, an air filter, and some duct tape. Find all the info to build your own at NPR's guide .

• Stay informed. Visit Oregon DEQ's Air Quality Monitoring Map for up-to-date info on the current AQI where you live, and be sure to sign up for emergency alerts at oralerts.gov for ongoing extreme heat or wildfire-related warnings.

• Listen to your body! Heat and smoke can have all sorts of detrimental effects on human health - especially in conjunction. The risk is highest in young children and the elderly. Seek medical attention if you or a loved one display any symptoms of heat stroke (including body temperature above 103°F, fast pulse, nausea or vomiting, and fainting), or acute respiratory distress from wildfire smoke (chest tightness, trouble breathing, changes to your heartbeat, or grey or blue lips or skin).

Take Action

The sorts of climate disasters we're watching unfold in our beloved state shouldn't be accepted as the "new normal." The fact is, wildfires, extreme heat, and poor air quality can affect anyone - but the greatest impacts tend to fall on historically marginalized communities including BIPOC, low-income, indigenous, and the elderly. Meanwhile, the fossil fuel corporations responsible for the mess we're in continue to rake it in hand over fist .

Staying safe requires taking action today - but it also means demanding accountability, and ensuring community protections from our leaders. OEC will be there to do exactly that for as long as it takes.

You can reach out to your lawmakers anytime - via phone, email, or town hall events. Tell them about the impact that climate extremes are having on your life, and demand they take action. Be sure to sign up for our Grassroots Action mailing list for opportunities to get involved through testimony, public events, and more.