Jefferson County is fully under summer fire restrictions, with open burning closed and fire officials urging all residents to take extra precautions as high desert conditions prime the landscape for rapid fire spread.
The county’s annual Fire Safety Burn Ban runs July 1 through September 30, and the current fire danger level means that even small sparks — from discarded cigarettes, fireworks, or equipment — can quickly grow into uncontrollable blazes. The Peninsula Fire at Crooked River Ranch, sparked on the Fourth of July by improperly discarded smoking materials, was a stark illustration of that risk.
What the Restrictions Mean
Under current restrictions in Jefferson County:
- Open burning is closed. This includes yard debris, agricultural burning, and campfires outside of designated fire rings at established campgrounds.
- Burning in approved burn barrels with screens is allowed only with a valid permit, and only during the hours of sunrise to 10:00 a.m.
- Fireworks restrictions vary by jurisdiction — Madras allows the use of legal fireworks within city limits, but residents are urged to check with local fire districts before using any pyrotechnics.
Crooked River Ranch Fire & Rescue has confirmed that outdoor burning is closed in their district. The Burn Information Line (541-923-4633) can be used to check current campfire restrictions in your area.
A Dire Season on the Horizon
Forecasters had been warning since spring that 2026 could be one of Central Oregon’s most dangerous fire seasons in years. Record-low snowpack, early drought declarations, and warmer-than-normal temperatures through June have dried out vegetation that would otherwise provide some buffer against fire spread.
The National Interagency Fire Center’s seasonal outlook noted that June was “generally warmer and drier than normal” across Oregon and Washington, with the resulting conditions likely to cause any ignitions to grow larger before crews can contain them.
AccuWeather also warned that while 2026 may see fewer fires overall, drought and extreme heat mean any fire that does start is likely to spread more quickly and burn more acreage.
How to Stay Safe
Central Oregon fire officials issued the following reminders ahead of the holiday weekend:
- Never discard cigarettes out of vehicle windows or on dry ground.
- Ensure trailer chains do not drag on pavement, which can throw sparks.
- Keep vehicles off dry grass.
- Have a water source or fire extinguisher accessible when using burn barrels.
- Download the Watch Duty app for real-time wildfire tracking and sign up for Frontier Regional Alert for emergency notifications in Jefferson County.
For complete fire restriction information, visit the Oregon Department of Forestry at oregon.gov/odf/fire or contact your local fire district.