The Oregon Department of Forestry Regulated Use Closure covering Jefferson County has been in effect since May 18 and shows no signs of lifting. Campfires, fireworks, chainsaw use, and off-road vehicles are all restricted. Here is what residents need to know heading into summer.

A new wildfire ignited June 7 in a rural area east of Highway 26 and west of Highway 97, straddling the Jefferson County and Warm Springs Reservation boundary. The blaze, dubbed the Tmsh Fire, was estimated at 5 acres as of initial reports.

The 2026 fire season was declared on May 8 — nearly a month ahead of schedule — and Jefferson County has already seen its first wildfire evacuation warnings. Here’s a plain-language guide to current restrictions and how to stay safe.

A wildfire reported June 1 approximately five miles southwest of Lake Billy Chinook prompted temporary evacuation warnings before interagency crews brought the fire under control. All orders have since been lifted.

Open burning is now prohibited across Jefferson County following early seasonal closures triggered by dry conditions and runaway brush fires. The Oregon Department of Forestry has also issued a regulated use closure affecting Jefferson County for the duration of fire season. Here is what residents need to know.

Firefighters from multiple agencies achieved 50% containment on the Jordan Fire near Lake Billy Chinook after it burned approximately 7.5 acres of grass and brush. The lightning-sparked blaze was a stark reminder that Jefferson County's 2026 fire season has arrived early.

A lightning-caused wildfire that briefly prompted evacuation warnings near Lake Billy Chinook on June 1 was 80 percent contained as of June 3, according to Central Oregon Fire Information. All evacuation orders have been lifted.

Oregon's 2026 fire season went into effect May 8 — and a lightning-caused fire near Lake Billy Chinook just three weeks later proved the point. Here's what the season declaration means for residents across Jefferson County, from burn rules to evacuation readiness.

Jefferson County Fire & EMS responded to two separate residential fires in Madras in late May and early June, displacing at least seven people and resulting in one total loss of a family home and RV.

The Oregon Department of Forestry placed Jefferson County under a Regulated Use Closure beginning May 18, prohibiting open campfires, afternoon chainsaw use, off-road vehicles on unimproved roads, and fireworks. Jefferson County Fire & EMS has separately closed all open burning.

A fast-moving vegetation fire in the Warm Springs community triggered Level 3 evacuation orders Thursday evening for Upper Dry Creek, Beaver Drive, and George Drive before being contained. Two homes were lost in the blaze.