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Alaska Airlines to Launch New Seasonal Route Between Portland and Steamboat Springs

Alaska Airlines to Launch New Seasonal Route Between Portland and Steamboat Springs

Alaska Airlines to Launch New Seasonal Route Between Portland and Steamboat Springs
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Alaska Airlines Announces New Seasonal Route Between Portland and Steamboat Springs for 2027

Alaska Airlines Announces New Seasonal Route Between Portland and Steamboat Springs for 2027

Alaska Airlines Announces New Seasonal Route Between Portland and Steamboat Springs for 2027
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Wildfire Smoke Blankets Large Swaths of the U.S., Air Quality Deteriorates

Wildfire Smoke Blankets Large Swaths of the U.S., Air Quality Deteriorates

Wildfire smoke from the Pacific Northwest is causing hazy skies and unhealthy air quality across large portions of the United States. As of July 29, 2026, 45 large uncontained fires in Oregon and Washington have burned over 1.8 million acres, with additional fires in British Columbia contributing to the smoke. The worst air quality was reported near Boise, Idaho, where particulate matter levels approached 'very unhealthy' thresholds. Eastern Oregon and southern Idaho are also experiencing 'unhealthy' air quality, prompting advisories for residents to limit outdoor activities. The smoke has traveled thousands of miles, affecting areas as far as Florida, though much of it remains aloft. This event follows record-setting air pollution earlier in the month caused by Canadian wildfires. Environmental factors, including a historically warm winter and prolonged heat waves, have exacerbated wildfire conditions this year.
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Wildfire Smoke Blankets U.S., Air Quality Declines in Multiple States

Wildfire Smoke Blankets U.S., Air Quality Declines in Multiple States

Wildfire smoke from the Pacific Northwest is spreading across the United States, creating hazy skies and unhealthy air conditions. As of July 28, 2026, 46 large uncontained fires in Oregon and Washington have burned over 1.6 million acres. Additionally, 17 uncontrolled fires in British Columbia are contributing to the smoke. Air quality advisories have been issued in eastern Oregon and southern Idaho, where conditions are considered unhealthy. The smoke is forecast to travel across the northern U.S., affecting states like Montana, the Dakotas, and Minnesota, and may reach as far south as Florida. While the smoke in Florida is not expected to pose significant health risks, areas closer to the fires are experiencing hazardous air quality levels. This follows earlier record-setting air pollution in the Midwest and Northeast caused by Canadian wildfires.
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McMinnville’s Revived Italian Classic, Nick’s, Closes Again — This Time for Good

McMinnville’s Revived Italian Classic, Nick’s, Closes Again — This Time for Good

The owners of 49-year-old restaurant Nick’s Italian Cafe are calling it quits due to a costly ventilation issue that temporarily shuttered the iconic wine country restaurant in June
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Wildfire Smoke Causes Hazardous Air Quality in Idaho

Wildfire Smoke Causes Hazardous Air Quality in Idaho

Wildfires in central Oregon are funneling smoke into Southwest Idaho, leading to hazardous air quality levels in the Treasure Valley. The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality has issued multiple advisories since July 20, as air quality readings remain in the unhealthy to hazardous range. According to environmental toxicologist Luke Montrose from Colorado State University, wildfire smoke contains fine particles, approximately 2.5 micrometers in size, that can bypass the nose's natural filtering system and settle in the lungs. These particles differ from typical urban air pollution and can have severe health impacts, including respiratory and cardiovascular issues. The chemical composition of wildfire smoke varies depending on the materials burned, with some compounds being as toxic as industrial pollutants. Long-term health effects are still under study, but early research suggests potential impacts on reproductive health and cognitive function.
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Heat Dome and Wildfire Smoke Blanket Much of the U.S.

Heat Dome and Wildfire Smoke Blanket Much of the U.S.

A heat dome is intensifying across the U.S., bringing dangerously high temperatures and increasing wildfire risks. According to AccuWeather meteorologists, the heat dome currently over the Texas Panhandle is expected to push into the Southwest later this week, with temperatures ranging from 100°F to 111°F (37.8°C to 43.9°C). Southern California's deserts could see highs between 110°F and 120°F (43.3°C to 48.9°C). The heat dome acts as a lid on the atmosphere, trapping heat and exacerbating drought conditions. Wildfire risks are particularly high east of the Cascades in Washington and Oregon, as well as in British Columbia, Canada, where several large fires are already burning. Smoke from these fires is expected to impact air quality across the Northwest, Dakotas, and Northeast into August.
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Flags Lowered in Oregon to Honor Missing Navy Commander Gabriel Edwards

Flags Lowered in Oregon to Honor Missing Navy Commander Gabriel Edwards

Flags at public institutions in Oregon will be flown at half-staff on July 29 to honor U.S. Navy Commander Gabriel Edwards, who went missing after an emergency helicopter landing in the Arabian Sea on July 1. Edwards, an Oakland, Oregon native, commanded Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 5 and was deployed aboard the USS George H.W. Bush. Despite a 102-hour search covering over 14,000 square miles, he was not found. Governor Tina Kotek ordered the flags lowered, recognizing Edwards' nearly two decades of service and his embodiment of duty, honor, and courage.
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Merkley and Bentz Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Biomass Markets for Wildfire Reduction

Merkley and Bentz Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Biomass Markets for Wildfire Reduction

Oregon Congressman Cliff Bentz and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley have introduced the Wildfire Reduction Market Expansion Act of 2026. This bipartisan legislation aims to expand markets for woody biomass, which is removed through forest management and wildfire prevention projects. The bill seeks to broaden the federal definition of renewable biomass under the Renewable Fuel Standard and the Clean Air Act. This expansion would include low-value woody materials generated through hazardous fuels reduction, ecological restoration, and forest products manufacturing. The legislation is also supported by Rep. Bennie Thompson and Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith. It aims to create new economic uses for materials often left behind during forest thinning projects, thereby offsetting the costs of reducing wildfire fuel loads and increasing renewable fuel production.
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Wildfire Smoke Blankets U.S., Affecting Air Quality Across Multiple States

Wildfire Smoke Blankets U.S., Affecting Air Quality Across Multiple States

As of Monday morning, 46 large uncontained wildfires in Oregon and Washington have burned over 1.6 million acres of wildland, with additional fires in British Columbia contributing to a massive plume of smoke. This smoke has created hazy skies and unhealthy air conditions across the U.S., reaching as far as Florida. The worst air quality was reported near Boise, Idaho, with 'very unhealthy' particulate levels. Air quality advisories have been issued in several states, urging residents to limit outdoor activities. The fires are fueled by prolonged heat waves and dry conditions, exacerbated by climate change, according to experts.
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Pro-Data Center Group Launches Ad Campaign Amidst Criticism in Oregon

Pro-Data Center Group Launches Ad Campaign Amidst Criticism in Oregon

A pro-data center industry group, Oregon Connects, has launched an advertising campaign in Oregon and six other states to counter criticisms of data centers. The ads highlight the benefits of data centers, such as investments in clean energy and job creation, while addressing concerns about their high water and energy consumption and low job creation relative to tax incentives. The campaign is part of a broader effort by the Data Center Coalition, which includes major tech companies like Microsoft and Google, to improve public perception as local governments consider policies to regulate data center growth.
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Smoke from Oregon Wildfires Blankets the State

Smoke from Oregon Wildfires Blankets the State

NASA's Aqua satellite captured images on July 26, 2026, showing smoke from dozens of wildfires spreading across Oregon. These fires, ignited by dry thunderstorms on July 15, have burned over one million acres as of July 27, 2026. The largest active fires include the Hay Creek Complex, Brewer, Big Grass, Akawa Butte, and Powder River fires, with containment levels below 5% for several. The fires have prompted air quality advisories for eastern Oregon and evacuation orders for affected communities. Over 10,000 firefighters are working to control the blazes, which have been exacerbated by extreme drought and high summer temperatures.