Salem, OR Air Quality Index (AQI)
During a smoke episode the air over Salem can shift hour to hour. This page uses EPA's NowCast — the same weighting AirNow uses — so the "current" number reflects fast changes instead of a stale 24-hour average. Peak smoke risk here runs mid-summer into fall, when Western wildfires and long-range plumes settle into the valleys.
About air quality in Salem
Salem is the 3rd most populous of the 5 Oregon cities we track, with a population of about 175,535, in Marion County.
Smoke risk here concentrates in mid-July through September, driven by regional fires plus smoke drawn down from British Columbia, which can hold for days once it settles into a valley. Outside that window an elevated reading in Salem is more likely to be local — traffic, dust, or a temperature inversion holding everyday pollution near the ground — than wildfire smoke, and the dominant pollutant shown above is what tells the two apart.
How local is this reading? The AQI above is reported for a monitoring area, not for a street address. The nearest city we track is Portland, OR, about 43 miles away — close enough that the two usually move together, so a large gap between them is a sign the plume edge is somewhere between you.
Today & tomorrow
What each level means
| AQI | Level | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 0–50 | Good | A great day to be active outside. |
| 51–100 | Moderate | Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors and watch for symptoms. |
| 101–150 | Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups | Sensitive groups should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors, take more breaks, and reschedule strenuous activities. |
| 151–200 | Unhealthy | Everyone should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors; sensitive groups should move activities indoors or reschedule. |
| 201–300 | Very Unhealthy | Everyone should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion and move activities indoors; sensitive groups should stay indoors and keep activity low. |
| 301–500 | Hazardous | Everyone should avoid all physical activity outdoors; stay indoors with clean air and keep activity low. |
Guidance paraphrased from EPA. Not medical advice — see disclaimer.
Nearby cities
All Oregon cities · Smoke & your health · Can I go outside?
Salem air quality FAQ
What is the air quality in Salem right now?
The live AQI for Salem, OR is shown at the top of this page, sourced from AirNow (U.S. EPA) and computed with the 2024 EPA standard, with the observation time and source labeled.
Is it safe to go outside in Salem today?
It depends on the current AQI and whether you're in a sensitive group. At AQI 101–150 sensitive groups should cut back on prolonged outdoor exertion; at 151+ everyone should. Use our "Can I go outside?" tool for tailored guidance.
Why does Salem's AQI here match AirNow?
Because AirNow is our display truth for US monitors — we show its reported number, never a self-computed value that disagrees with it for the same monitor.
When is wildfire smoke worst in Oregon?
In the West, smoke risk peaks mid-summer through fall during active fire season and can linger in valleys.