How to Prepare for the 2026 Wildfire, Smoke Forecast
April 8, 2026 - Everett, WA
July 2026 Wildfire Potential Outlook
The National Interagency Coordination Center recently released its outlook for the next 4 months, and the forecast for July is sobering: above-normal significant fire potential is predicted to cover all of eastern Washington. Smoke from those fires won't stop at the Cascades, likely repeating what we saw in 2018 and 2020 — Everett spent days under orange skies with air quality readings classified as dangerous.
One of the biggest reasons forecasters are worried this year comes down to the lack of mountain snowpack. The mountains surrounding Puget Sound normally hold deep snowpack through spring, slowly releasing moisture that keeps forests relatively wet heading into summer. That snowpack didn't materialize this past winter, which means the forests below will be unusually dry until late in the year.
What makes wildfire smoke so harmful is the microscopic size of the particles. They're about thirty times smaller than the width of a human hair, small enough to enter and lodge deep in the lungs, where they can strain bodily functions, heighten asthma sensitivity, and trigger heart attacks. Because the respiratory system continues developing until around age 21, children face additional risks to their long-term health and immune functions.
There are cheap tools available to monitor and filter air at home. Look for an air quality monitor that measures "PM 2.5" - those are the microscopic smoke particles. And you can build your own air filter for less than $100, using 4 furnace filters, a box fan, and some duct tape. These homemade Corsi-Rosenthal Boxes can outperform much more expensive HEPA air cleaners.
Be sure to check the air quality index along with the weather forecast, and when readings reach orange or higher, limit outdoor activity especially for children, the elderly, and anyone with asthma or heart disease. During heavy smoke events, designate one room in your home as a "clean air room," keep it sealed, and run your filter there. This is especially recommended for babies' rooms, as infants are at high risk. Pick up a few N95 masks for times you have to go outside, since standard cloth or surgical masks won't block the fine particles in smoke.
Summer in western Washington is genuinely beautiful, and most years the smoke is manageable. But all the factors shaping up for 2026, including low snowpack, above-normal fire potential across the region, and a fire season that's already well ahead of historic averages, suggests this may not be one of those easy years. A box fan, some filters, a habit of checking air quality, and a plan for your most vulnerable family members can make a real difference when July rolls around.
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