The fire columns visible from Madras this summer have been the most dramatic sign of a punishing season — but for the county's ranchers and farmers, the crisis has been quietly mounting since long before the first flame sparked.
Jefferson County entered summer 2026 under a state-declared drought emergency, with approximately 94% of the county blanketed in severe drought and the remainder in moderate drought. Governor Tina Kotek issued the emergency declaration for Jefferson County in April, following earlier declarations for Deschutes and Crook counties — part of a wave of drought emergencies affecting 25 or more Oregon counties this year.
The Driest Setup in a Decade
The Oregon Water Resources Department has described 2026 as a potentially extraordinary drought year, driven by three overlapping factors: historically low snowpack in the Cascades, one of the warmest winters on record in Oregon, and multi-year precipitation deficits across Central Oregon. The situation echoes 2015, which remains a benchmark year for drought devastation in the region.
For Jefferson County irrigators — who depend on snowmelt-fed irrigation districts to water hay fields, grain crops, and pastures — the implications are stark. Some Oregon irrigators have faced curtailments or shut-offs as rivers and reservoirs fell short of expected flows. Ranchers across the region have been forced to make hard calls: sell off livestock early rather than risk running out of feed, pay premium prices for hay trucked in from outside the region, or simply watch their pastures go brown.
Hay Prices and Herd Decisions
Hay has been in short supply and high demand across Central Oregon throughout the summer, with prices pushed up by the combination of poor local production and competition from farms across the Pacific Northwest facing similar conditions. For cow-calf operations in Jefferson County — where ranching is woven into the economic and cultural identity of communities like Ashwood, Culver, and the Crooked River Ranch area — the cost pressure has been significant.
Ranchers who typically produce their own hay have seen reduced yields, and some fields have been abandoned mid-season when irrigation water ran short. Livestock sales at regional markets have reflected the strain, with some producers moving animals earlier than normal to avoid the cost of carrying them through a dry fall.
Looking Ahead
The drought emergency declaration is intended to help unlock state and federal assistance for affected agricultural operations. Jefferson County residents who farm or ranch and have not yet explored available assistance programs are encouraged to contact the USDA Farm Service Agency office or reach out to Oregon State University Extension Service in Jefferson County, which can connect producers with drought assistance resources.
As fire season rolls toward its traditional peak in late August and early September, the dry conditions that have made this summer so hard for agriculture are also keeping fire danger elevated. Jefferson County Fire and EMS urges all residents — whether in town, on the ranch, or in rural areas — to remain vigilant and report smoke or suspicious fire conditions immediately by calling 911.