MEDFORD, Ore. (Jul. 16, 2026) — The National Weather Service in Medford has issued an Air Quality Alert for portions of Southern Oregon as wildfire smoke continues to impact the region, with the advisory remaining in effect noon Monday.
According to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, smoke from multiple wildfires combined with forecast weather conditions is expected to cause air quality to fluctuate, at times reaching unhealthy levels.
Officials warned that smoke concentrations can change rapidly depending on shifting winds and weather patterns.
The advisory urges residents, particularly those most vulnerable to smoke, to take precautions. Those at greatest risk include infants and young children, older adults, pregnant people, and individuals with heart or lung disease.
Health officials recommend limiting strenuous outdoor activities when smoke levels are elevated and staying indoors whenever air quality becomes unhealthy. Residents are also encouraged to use certified High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters in home heating, ventilation, cooling and air purification systems when possible.
Officials also asked residents to follow local burn restrictions to help prevent worsening air quality and to avoid using wood-burning stoves or other sources of indoor smoke if possible.
Air quality conditions are expected to remain variable through noon Monday as wildfire activity continues across the region.
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