Thousands of Americans are breathing unhealthy air across parts of Georgia, South Carolina and Oregon, as officials warn residents to stay indoors whenever possible.
Air quality maps on Tuesday showed sharply elevated levels of PM2.5, microscopic particles consisting of toxic organic compounds or heavy metals emitted from vehicles, industry and wood burning, creating hazardous conditions.
In Augusta, Georgia, and neighboring areas of South Carolina, including North Augusta, Air Quality Index (AQI) readings reached 166, classified as unhealthy for all residents.
Southern Georgia’s Valdosta is also grappling with persistently poor air, with forecasts suggesting more days exceeding AQI 100 due to ongoing environmental stressors.
Central Oregon is under similar alerts, as stagnant air in Bend and surrounding Deschutes County is trapping pollutants, pushing levels into the ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’ range and prompting health advisories.
Air quality levels are measured on a scale from 0 to 500: good (0–50) carries little risk, moderate (51–100) may affect sensitive individuals, unhealthy for sensitive groups (101–150) poses increased risk and unhealthy (151–200) impacts everyone, limiting outdoor activity.
Health experts caution that prolonged exposure can trigger respiratory problems, aggravate asthma, strain the heart and contribute to long-term lung damage.
Authorities in all affected states are urging residents to minimize outdoor activity and monitor local air quality forecasts.
In Augusta, Georgia (top right, red), and neighboring areas of South Carolina, including North Augusta, Air Quality Index (AQI) readings reached 166, classified as unhealthy for all residents
The poor air quality in the red zones on the maps stems from a combination of local emissions sources and weather conditions that trap pollutants.
In Augusta, Georgia, and neighboring South Carolina, unhealthy air is being driven primarily by PM2.5 from vehicle traffic, industrial emissions and occasional controlled burns.
Winter weather, including temperature inversions and high-pressure systems, has trapped pollutants close to the ground, keeping haze and particulates in the breathing zone.
Seasonal factors, such as elevated pollen levels, can also affect the AQI, though PM2.5 remains the main concern.
Urban areas like Augusta regularly see spikes in moderate-to-unhealthy air quality, reflecting Georgia’s broader national struggles with pollution.
Valdosta faces similar challenges, as traffic, industrial activity and emissions of volatile organic compounds combine with the Coastal Plain’s geography to slow natural dispersion.
In central Oregon, Bend and southern Deschutes County are under an extended Air Stagnation Advisory through the week.
High-pressure systems and light winds are trapping pollutants, including smoke from residential wood-burning, vehicle exhaust, and other sources, near the ground, creating unhealthy conditions for sensitive residents.
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Air Quality Advisory until 7am PT Friday.
Central Oregon is under similar alerts, as stagnant air in Bend and surrounding Deschutes County is trapping pollutants, pushing levels into the ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’ range and prompting health advisories
Thousands of Americans are breathing unhealthy air across parts of Georgia, South Carolina and Oregon, as officials warn residents to stay indoors whenever possible. Pictured is Portland, Oregon during wildfires in 2020
Officials warned that stagnant air keeps harmful particles where people breathe, increasing risks for children, older adults and those with heart or lung conditions.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has also issued a freezing fog advisory in several Oregon regions, which is prompted when fog develops and surface temperatures are at or below freezing.
Benton, Linn, and Lane counties, including Eugene, Corvallis, Albany, and Springfield, are under the alert until 11am PT Tuesday.
Drivers are warned of visibility as low as a quarter mile and slick surfaces from rime ice, while pedestrians and cyclists are urged to wear reflective clothing.
At the same time, an Air Stagnation Advisory remains in effect across much of the Willamette Valley, the Tualatin Valley, Portland Metro and surrounding lowlands through Friday morning.
The yellow regions highlight moderate levels, orange is unhealthy for sensitive groups and red signals the air is unhealthy for everyone
Stagnant air combined with light winds is trapping pollutants, leading to deteriorating air quality that may affect people with respiratory problems.
Residents are strongly advised to limit outdoor burning and residential wood heating.
Similar conditions are affecting central, eastern, and northern Oregon, including the Columbia River Gorge, Deschutes County, Klamath and Lake counties, Jackson, Josephine, and Douglas counties and extending into parts of southeast Washington.
Cities under alert include Bend, Medford, Grants Pass, Klamath Falls, The Dalles and Yakima. Poor air quality is expected to persist through Friday in these regions, with frozen fog further reducing visibility in some valleys.
Officials emphasized that people with respiratory illness, young children, and older adults should take precautions, including staying indoors and avoiding strenuous outdoor activity. Motorists should slow down and exercise extra caution during morning commutes.
