The numbers are stark. In just one week this July, Jefferson County's share of land classified under extreme drought jumped from 5.93 percent to 43.56 percent -- the largest single-week increase of any county in Central Oregon, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

That rapid deterioration puts Jefferson County in line with its neighbors: Deschutes County sits at 61 percent extreme drought coverage, while Crook County is at 66.3 percent. Statewide, 20.3 percent of Oregon is now classified under exceptional drought -- one step above extreme and the most severe rating on the scale.

A Season Built for Crisis

Oregon water officials warned early in 2026 that the state could face extraordinary drought, driven by historically low snowpack, one of the warmest winters in state history, and multi-year precipitation deficits. Governor Kotek declared drought for Jefferson County earlier this spring, when 94 percent of the county was already classified under severe drought.

Conditions have only worsened since then. Forecasters say dry conditions are expected to persist or worsen through at least the end of August, with above-normal fire danger expected to continue into September.

Ranchers Feeling the Pinch

The drought is taking a direct toll on Jefferson County's agricultural community. Rangeland and pastures across the county are badly stressed, and hay supplies have become critically short and expensive. For ranchers like those near Warm Springs who lost hay barns and feed to the Bench Fire this week, the drought compounds an already desperate situation.

Irrigation water availability has also been a concern across Jefferson County, where agriculture depends heavily on surface water from the Deschutes River system. Snowpack-fed flows that normally sustain summer irrigation ran low earlier and faster than typical this year.

What Farmers and Ranchers Can Do

The Oregon Department of Agriculture and OSU Extension Service have drought assistance resources available for producers across Central Oregon. The USDA's Farm Service Agency also offers emergency loan programs for farmers and ranchers impacted by natural disasters, including drought.

  • OSU Extension Service - Jefferson County: (541) 475-7107
  • USDA Farm Service Agency - Madras: (541) 475-3839
  • Oregon Drought Watch: oregon.gov/owrd/drought

Water users with questions about current allocation levels are encouraged to contact the Oregon Water Resources Department. The drought monitor map is updated weekly at droughtmonitor.unl.edu.