Wildfire smoke from Pacific Northwest fires spreads across much of the U.S., reaching the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast

Smoke produced by numerous large wildfires burning across Oregon and Washington continues to spread across much of the continental United States, with the broad plume extending from the Pacific Northwest through the northern Plains, Midwest and Great Lakes into the Mid-Atlantic and parts of the Southeast on July 27-28.

NOAA’s Hazard Mapping System, EPA’s AirNow Fire and Smoke Map and NOAA’s High-Resolution Rapid Refresh Smoke model indicate long-range eastward transport of wildfire smoke under persistent upper-level westerly flow associated with the jet stream.

The smoke is being generated by numerous lightning-caused wildfires that ignited following a severe thunderstorm outbreak across Oregon and Washington in mid-July. According to FOX Weather, many of the largest ongoing fires were sparked during that lightning outbreak, with hot, dry weather and gusty winds allowing them to spread rapidly across the Pacific Northwest.

Among the largest incidents is the Rowe Creek Complex in central Oregon. The lightning-caused fire had grown to more than 80 937 ha (200 000 acres) by July 27, producing an expansive smoke plume visible in satellite imagery. The Rowe Creek Complex is one of the major contributors to the widespread haze affecting much of the United States.

Wildfire activity remains exceptionally high across the Northwest. According to the National Interagency Fire Center’s National Fire News issued on July 27, the United States remains at National Preparedness Level 5, the highest level of national wildfire readiness.

Firefighters are responding to 95 large fires nationwide, including 13 new large incidents reported during the previous day. More than 25 700 firefighters and support personnel are assigned to suppression efforts across the country, while more than 1.62 million ha (4 million acres) have burned so far this year. The Northwest Geographic Area alone continues to account for dozens of large active fires.

According to FOX Weather, the Northwest is battling more than 30 large active fires that have collectively burned nearly 404 686 ha (1 million acres), with the majority located in Oregon. Critical fire weather conditions have fueled rapid wildfire growth across the Pacific Northwest and Northern Great Basin, where hot, dry weather and gusty winds continue to challenge firefighting efforts.

Air quality impacts remain greatest near the source region. Smoke is expected to continue degrading air quality across parts of Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana, with some impacts extending into North Dakota. Boise, Idaho, remained in the “Very Unhealthy” Air Quality Index category during the event.

Farther east, however, the character of the smoke changes considerably. According to EPA AirNow, satellite-observed smoke plumes indicate smoke somewhere in the atmosphere and do not necessarily correspond to degraded air quality at the surface, as smoke may remain elevated and never mix down into the boundary layer.

As a result, many locations across the Midwest, Great Lakes, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast are expected to experience hazy or milky skies without the severe surface-level air quality impacts observed closer to the fires.

Much of the densest smoke remains concentrated across Oregon, Idaho, Montana and the Dakotas, where smoke is reaching near-surface levels. Farther downstream, the plume is expected to remain largely elevated, producing widespread haze while having a more limited effect on the air people breathe.

The elevated smoke could remain approximately 6.1 to 12.2 km (20 000 to 40 000 feet) above the ground as it circulates around a sprawling heat dome over the central United States, allowing the plume to extend as far east as the Mid-Atlantic and as far south as parts of the Southeast.

The plume is expected to continue shifting eastward during the coming days but is not expected to approach the severity of the Canadian wildfire smoke episode that affected large portions of the United States between July 14 and 16. Unlike that earlier event, the current plume is expected to remain higher in the atmosphere because no nearby weather systems are forecast to force significant amounts of smoke toward the surface.

Even where surface air quality remains relatively good, elevated wildfire smoke can still noticeably affect the appearance of the sky. Hazy or milky conditions and more vivid sunrises and sunsets are expected across parts of the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast as the elevated smoke plume continues moving eastward through the end of July.

Residents are encouraged to monitor local conditions using EPA’s AirNow Fire and Smoke Map and follow air quality advisories issued by the National Weather Service and state environmental agencies where conditions warrant.References:

¹ Wildfire smoke from the Northwest sweeps across the US to Mid-Atlantic and Southeast – FOX News – July 27, 2026

Reet Kaur

I’m a science journalist and researcher at The Watchers, contributing to the Epicenter edition, where I cover peer-reviewed scientific research and emerging discoveries across Earth and space sciences. With a background in astronomy and a passion for environmental science, I’ve worked in shark and coral conservation in Fiji, conducting reef and shark-behavior research, contributing to mangrove restoration, and earning PADI Open Water and Coral Reef Certifications. I bring a blend of scientific rigor and storytelling to illuminate the discoveries shaping our planet and beyond.

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