Jefferson County's farming and ranching families are no strangers to dry summers. But the 2026 season has piled challenge on top of challenge — a severe drought declared by the Governor in April, a historic wildfire season that has scorched hundreds of thousands of acres across the county and its neighbors, and temperatures that have pushed vegetation moisture to dangerous lows. As harvest approaches, the outlook is sobering.

Drought Conditions Hit Hard

In late April, Governor Tina Kotek signed an executive order declaring a drought emergency for Jefferson County — the second drought declaration in Oregon in 2026. At the time, 94% of Jefferson County was classified as being in severe drought, with the remainder in moderate drought. The declaration came as local officials had been pushing for state assistance after historically low snowpack and one of the warmest winters on record left reservoirs and irrigation canals running well below normal.

The Oregon Water Resources Department described 2026 conditions as similar to 2015, when a snow drought led to drought declarations in 25 of Oregon's 36 counties — one of the most damaging agricultural years in the state's recent history.

For Jefferson County growers, tighter water supplies have meant difficult decisions: which fields to irrigate, which to let go. Hay and grain producers who depend on the North Unit Irrigation District and other water systems have faced curtailed deliveries throughout the season.

Wildfires Add a Second Layer of Damage

Just as the drought settled in, the fire season arrived early and hit hard. The Rowe Creek Complex, which started July 15 by lightning east of Culver and Metolius, has now burned 373,777 acres — including significant amounts of Crooked River National Grassland, which many local ranchers use for grazing under federal permits. Those grazing allotments have been closed throughout the fire, forcing livestock to be moved or supplementally fed.

The Bench Fire, which burned on and near the Warm Springs Reservation, added another 67,000-plus acres to the season's toll. Combined with several smaller fires, this summer has seen an enormous amount of range and grassland go up in smoke across the region.

What Ranchers and Farmers Are Dealing With

  • Grazing allotment closures on the Crooked River National Grassland and other federal lands have forced early removal of livestock.
  • Reduced irrigation water through the North Unit Irrigation District has pushed some operations to cut planted acreage.
  • Hay prices have climbed as regional supply tightens — bad news for ranchers who didn't produce enough on their own ground.
  • Smoke-damaged crops are an emerging concern in some specialty agriculture sectors, as prolonged smoke exposure can affect quality.
  • Burn barrel bans and Stage 2 fire restrictions have added operational restrictions for farms that typically conduct burning as part of land management.

Resources Available

Farmers and ranchers affected by the drought and wildfire season may be eligible for assistance through the USDA Farm Service Agency, including the Livestock Forage Disaster Program and the Emergency Livestock Assistance Program. The Oregon Department of Agriculture has also been coordinating drought relief resources through the state's drought emergency framework.

Jefferson County's OSU Extension office can connect producers with current assistance programs. Residents can also contact the Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District for guidance on drought-year land management and recovery planning.

The county's agricultural community has weathered hard years before. But as one local rancher put it simply this week: "This one's up there."