Oregon's 2026 fire season has been officially in effect since 12:01 a.m. on May 8, 2026 — declared by the State Forester and immediately activating a set of restrictions across the Oregon Department of Forestry's Central Oregon District that covers much of Jefferson County.
The Jordan Road fire near Lake Billy Chinook, which ignited on June 1 from a lightning strike and prompted brief evacuation warnings, was an early reminder that fire season isn't a summer phenomenon anymore. It's already here.
What Fire Season Means for You
Under the fire season declaration, Oregon law (ORS 477.510 and ORS 477.512) prohibits several activities in and around forestland within the district:
- Smoking while working or traveling through any operation area
- Use of fuse and caps for blasting without forester approval
- Discharge of exploding targets inside or within one-eighth mile of the district
- Discharge of tracer ammunition on or near district land
Under ORS 477.515, setting any open fire inside or within one-eighth of a mile of a designated fire district during fire season without proper permits is also unlawful.
Campfires and Burn Restrictions
As conditions change through summer, additional restrictions can be added — and typically are. Restrictions are based on monitored fuel moisture levels, weather conditions, and fire weather forecasts. They can affect:
- Whether campfires are allowed at all
- Where you can smoke outdoors
- What types of equipment can be used on forestland
Residents with questions about current restrictions can check centraloregonfire.org or the Oregon Department of Forestry at oregon.gov/odf. The statewide fire restrictions map is updated regularly.
Prepare Your Home and Family Now
Jefferson County's mix of ranch land, timber, and wildland-urban interface communities — from Crooked River Ranch to properties near Lake Billy Chinook and the Warm Springs Reservation boundary — creates widespread vulnerability. Officials recommend:
- Create defensible space around your home — clear dead vegetation within 30 feet
- Build an evacuation plan — know your routes and evacuation zones before an emergency
- Sign up for Jefferson County emergency alerts — the county uses an electronic notification system; confirm your registration at jeffco.net
- Download Watch Duty — the free app provides real-time fire mapping and evacuation zone information used by Jefferson County emergency managers
Jefferson County Evacuation Zone Map
Jefferson County maintains an official evacuation zone map through ArcGIS. Residents near Lake Billy Chinook, Jordan Road, the Deschutes River canyon, and rural areas west of Madras should familiarize themselves with their zone designations. Zones are labeled by area and level (1 = Be Ready, 2 = Be Set, 3 = Go Now).
Fire information for Central Oregon is coordinated through the interagency team at centraloregonfire.org. Sign up for their email updates to receive incident reports directly.