On Monday, November 10, 2025, thick smoke blanketed rural Oregon, creating dangerous air quality conditions across southern Deschutes and northern Klamath counties. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued a rare air quality warning affecting approximately 6,300 residents in communities like La Pine and Sunriver.
The air became filled with tiny particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers—so small they can enter deep into the lungs and even pass into the bloodstream. Health officials warned everyone, especially children, elderly people, and those with heart or lung problems, to stay indoors until the air cleared.
Air quality monitors showed “Unhealthy” readings throughout Monday and Tuesday, with some areas experiencing their worst air in years. Even Sunriver, normally known for its clean mountain air, found itself covered in smoke that made outdoor activities unsafe.
Wood Burning and Weather Trap Pollution
The pollution comes mainly from wood-burning stoves and fireplaces that residents use to heat their homes during cold weather. Oregon’s wood burning releases 12.8 million pounds of pollution into the air each year—more than some major California wildfires.
The problem has gotten dramatically worse over time. Bend recorded 83 days of poor air quality between 2013 and 2023, which is 28 times more than the previous decade.
Klamath Falls has seen a similar trend, going from about one poor air day per year to more than 13 days annually. November weather makes the problem worse because high-pressure systems create a “lid” of warm air that traps pollution close to the ground in valleys and basins.
This trapped air can stay in place for days, making it difficult for the smoke to clear and creating health risks for everyone in the affected areas. The cold temperatures encourage more people to burn wood, which adds even more pollution to the already trapped air.
Climate Change and Health Risks Create New Challenges
Oregon has made significant efforts to improve air quality over the years, and the state now meets national air quality standards—a notable improvement since 1980. The state has required cleaner wood stoves since 1986, and today’s laws require the removal of old, polluting stoves when homes are sold.
On days with poor air quality, many counties ban wood burning, although exceptions exist for low-income families and those who rely entirely on wood for heating.
However, climate change threatens to undo this progress. Oregon’s temperature has risen by 2.2°F over the past century, with south-central Oregon experiencing a warming trend of approximately 0.09°F per decade since 1895.
Scientists expect faster warming in the coming decades, which will result in less snow, longer wildfire seasons, and increased smoke. Research shows wildfire smoke is up to ten times more harmful to breathing than pollution from cars or factories.
The health impacts are serious and growing. Even small increases in air pollution can lead to more heart attacks, strokes, and breathing problems. Hospitals in Central Oregon prepare for an increase in emergency room visits during multi-day pollution events. Everyone faces higher health risks when air quality reaches unhealthy levels.
The November 2025 warning ended after two days, but experts expect similar conditions to return throughout the winter as cold weather drives more people to burn wood for heat. Oregon faces difficult choices ahead. Many rural residents rely on wood-burning stoves because they are less expensive than electric or propane heat, but the pollution harms everyone’s health.
State officials are considering stricter regulations on wood-burning and offering grants to help people switch to cleaner heating options. The challenge is protecting public health while supporting communities that have relied on wood heat for generations.
As climate change exacerbates air quality problems, finding solutions becomes increasingly urgent for thousands of Oregon residents who now face regular warnings to stay indoors during their own winters.