Jefferson County Fire & EMS has banned burn barrel use effective August 4 for the remainder of fire season, while the Oregon DEQ has issued an ongoing air quality advisory covering Jefferson County and much of Central Oregon.

With the Round Butte, Bench, and Akawa Butte fires all burning simultaneously and evacuation levels updated as recently as Monday night, Jefferson County residents are navigating one of the most active wildfire situations in recent years. Stage 2 fire restrictions remain in effect across all Central Oregon public lands.

With multiple wildfires burning across Central and Eastern Oregon, including the Round Butte Fire just west of Madras, smoke is expected to remain a significant health concern for Jefferson County residents through this week. Here’s what to watch for and how to protect yourself.

U.S. Highway 26 through the Warm Springs area remains on a pilot-car system during daylight hours with nightly closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. A smoke and air quality advisory remains in effect for Jefferson County. Here's what travelers and residents need to know.

With the Bench Fire and multiple other blazes pumping smoke across Central Oregon, Jefferson County residents are breathing some of the smokiest air of the year. Here is a practical guide to protecting yourself and your family — especially children, the elderly, and anyone with respiratory conditions.

Stage 2 public use fire restrictions are now in effect across all Central Oregon public lands, including Jefferson County, Warm Springs, the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests, and BLM-managed lands. Campfires are banned, chainsaw use is prohibited, and violators risk criminal penalties.

Starting Monday, July 20, the Deschutes National Forest expanded Stage 1 public use fire restrictions to all Wilderness areas, including the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness bordering Jefferson County. Open fires — including wood, charcoal, and twig stoves — are prohibited as fire danger reaches extreme levels.

Beginning July 20, all Deschutes National Forest Wilderness areas — including the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness on Jefferson County's western border — will come under Stage 1 public use fire restrictions. Fire danger across Central Oregon is currently rated extreme.

With the 2026 fire season in effect since May and extreme fire danger ratings persisting across Central Oregon, Jefferson County officials and the Oregon Department of Forestry are urging residents to take campfire and burn restrictions seriously heading into the hottest weeks of summer.

With the 2026 fire season in effect since May and extreme fire danger ratings persisting across Central Oregon, Jefferson County officials and the Oregon Department of Forestry are urging residents to take campfire and burn restrictions seriously heading into the hottest weeks of summer.

The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for parts of the region through Tuesday evening, following a Fourth of July weekend that saw multiple wildfires ignite across Central Oregon. Open burning remains closed countywide.