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Hazardous Air Pollution Grips Pacific Northwest Residents

Summary

  • Thousands face unhealthy air quality in Washington and Oregon
  • Sensitive groups advised to limit outdoor activities
  • Pollution levels reach "unhealthy" range in some areas
Hazardous Air Pollution Grips Pacific Northwest Residents

On October 8, 2025, thousands of residents across portions of Washington and Oregon are facing potentially unhealthy levels of air pollution. According to a live map from the AirNow partnership, which includes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the air quality has deteriorated to an "unhealthy" range in some areas.

Experts caution that the poor air quality heightens health risks for vulnerable populations, such as older adults, children, and individuals with respiratory illnesses. The EPA mapping shows elevated levels of fine particle (PM2.5) pollution around Wenatchee in Washington's Chelan County as of approximately 8:15 a.m. ET. Additionally, a smaller pocket of polluted air was situated just south of Portland, Oregon, encompassing areas like Mulino and Liberal.

At this level of pollution, officials advise sensitive groups to avoid prolonged or intense outdoor activities and consider moving them indoors or rescheduling. The general public is also encouraged to take more breaks during outdoor pursuits to mitigate the health impacts.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.
The article mentions that the "unhealthy" levels of air pollution are encompassing a zone around Wenatchee in Washington's Chelan County and a smaller pocket just south of Portland, Oregon.
The article states that experts caution the deteriorating air quality heightens health risks for vulnerable populations, such as older adults, children, and individuals with respiratory illnesses. These groups are advised to avoid long or intense outdoor activities.
According to the EPA mapping, the levels of fine particle (PM2.5) pollution are in the "unhealthy" range in the affected areas as of approximately 8:15 a.m. ET on October 8, 2025.

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