Wildfire Smoke Degrades Air Quality in Eugene-Springfield
Wildfire smoke from fires burning east of the Cascade Mountains has settled over Lane County, Oregon, significantly degrading air quality in the Eugene-Springfield area. As of 10 a.m. on August 5, 2026, the Air Quality Index (AQI) registered 187 in north Eugene and 178 in Springfield, indicating unhealthy conditions for the general public. Some areas in Eugene have reached 'very unhealthy' levels, according to PurpleAir monitors. A nightly inversion is trapping smoke near the ground, and the haze is expected to persist through Thursday. The Lane Regional Air Protection Agency (LRAPA) has issued an air advisory covering Eugene, Springfield, Cottage Grove, Oakridge, Westfir, and Blue River. A weather change on Friday may bring relief, but the timing remains uncertain. This smoke event coincides with a heat advisory, with temperatures in Eugene expected to reach 97°F (36°C) on Wednesday. 
