Bend Air Quality Forecast - Today, Tomorrow
Air Quality Today
Today (17 October): Air quality in Bend is fair. AQI is fair; PM2.5, PM10, NO2, O3, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 3:00 PM (NO2: 27.0/100).
Air Quality Tomorrow
Tomorrow (18 October 2026): Air quality in Bend is fair. All pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 3:00 PM (NO2: 34.3/100).
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Air Quality
Today - 17 October
| Pollutant | Level | Value |
|---|---|---|
| AQI | Fair | 20.2/100 |
| PM2.5 (fine particles) | Good | 12.8/100 |
| PM10 (coarse particles) | Good | 6.8/100 |
| NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) | Good | 17.7/100 |
| O3 (ozone) | Good | 13.8/100 |
| SO2 (sulfur dioxide) | Good | 0.4/100 |
| CO (carbon monoxide) | Good | 0.5/100 |
| HCHO (formaldehyde) | Good | 1.7/100 |
| PM1 (ultrafine particles) | Good | 2.8/100 |
Tomorrow - 18 October
| Pollutant | Level | Value |
|---|---|---|
| AQI | Fair | 23.1/100 |
| PM2.5 (fine particles) | Good | 12.2/100 |
| PM10 (coarse particles) | Good | 6.6/100 |
| NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) | Good | 19.2/100 |
| O3 (ozone) | Good | 13.3/100 |
| SO2 (sulfur dioxide) | Good | 0.3/100 |
| CO (carbon monoxide) | Good | 0.5/100 |
| HCHO (formaldehyde) | Good | 1.4/100 |
| PM1 (ultrafine particles) | Good | 2.5/100 |
Local Environmental Conditions
Clean high-desert air is normal in Bend, and most local pollution comes from traffic on US-97, US-20 and the busy roads through the fast-growing city. In winter, wood stoves and fireplaces add fine particles in residential areas on cold, still nights. The worst days by far come from wildfire smoke, as fires in the Cascades and across Oregon can fill the air with smoke for days, prompting repeated air quality advisories, as in August 2026. Prescribed burns in nearby forests add smoky spells in spring and fall.
Wildfire smoke brings Bend its worst air, usually from July to September, when fires in the Cascades and across the West can leave a thick haze over the high desert. In August 2026, Oregon issued a series of smoke advisories for the region. Prescribed burns in the surrounding forests, mostly in spring and fall, can add short smoky spells. In winter, cold, still nights, averaging around 0°C in January, can trap wood smoke near the ground, while windy days bring the cleanest air.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Air Quality in Oregon
Is air quality bad in Bend right now?
On 17 October 2026, overall air quality in Bend is fair. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 20.2/100. Pollution peaks around 3:00 PM (NO2: 27.0/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Bend?
On 18 October 2026, air quality conditions in Bend will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at fair at 23.1/100. Pollution peaks around 3:00 PM (NO2: 34.3/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Bend?
Wildfire smoke brings Bend its worst air, usually from July to September, when fires in the Cascades and across the West can leave a thick haze over the high desert. In August 2026, Oregon issued a series of smoke advisories for the region. Prescribed burns in the surrounding forests, mostly in spring and fall, can add short smoky spells. In winter, cold, still nights, averaging around 0°C in January, can trap wood smoke near the ground, while windy days bring the cleanest air.
Are air quality levels in Bend based on measurements or forecasts?
It is forecasts derived by downscaling forecasts provided by EU’s Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) by taking into account local conditions such as traffic patterns. CAMS bases its forecast on satellite measurements of particles and chemical compounds in the atmosphere. Airmine’s services were developed with support from the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) team.
Why doesn’t the forecast always reflect wildfire impacts?
Airmine’s forecast uses CAMS (Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service) as its background atmospheric model. While CAMS includes wildfire emissions, these are derived from satellite observations and are not available in real time. During rapidly evolving wildfire events, there may therefore be a delay before increased emissions are incorporated into the model. As a result, the forecast may temporarily underestimate PM₂.₅ and other pollutants associated with wildfire smoke.
During rapidly evolving wildfire events, CAMS may lag by approximately 1–2 days before increased wildfire emissions are fully represented, which can lead to temporary underestimation of PM₂.₅ concentrations in Airmine’s forecast.
Understanding the Scale
The 0–100 air quality scores represent risk levels, not direct air pollutant concentrations. Higher scores indicate higher risk.
Air Quality
| Good | 0-20 | Low air quality risk. Air quality is expected to be good, with low levels of pollution. |
| Fair | 20-40 | Generally low air quality risk. Air quality is expected to be acceptable, with some pollution present. |
| Moderate | 40-60 | Moderate air quality risk. Air pollution is elevated and air quality may be less favorable. |
| Poor | 60-80 | High air quality risk. Air pollution is high and air quality is expected to be poor. |
| Very Poor | 80-100 | Very high air quality risk. Air pollution is very high and air quality is expected to be very poor. |