Jefferson County enters July in a state of elevated fire danger — and officials are urging every resident to prepare now, before a spark becomes a disaster.

The county has been under a burn ban since early May, when drying fuels and forecasted weather conditions prompted Jefferson County Fire & EMS to close all open burning. That closure remains in effect as of July 1.

A Year of Warning Signs

The conditions going into this fire season are among the most concerning in recent memory. Snowpack in the Central Cascades was near record lows this past winter, and the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners approved a drought declaration in March. A new wildfire risk dataset released this spring ranked Jefferson County among the top 50 most wildfire-impacted counties in the entire United States.

"We're heading into July dry and already stressed," said LeeAnn Bowman, administrative assistant for Jefferson County Fire & EMS. "The fuels are primed. What residents do around their homes and properties right now makes a real difference."

Defensible Space: What To Do Now

Fire officials are asking residents — particularly those in rural areas and the wildland-urban interface — to take immediate steps to create and maintain defensible space around their homes:

  • Clear dry grass, weeds, pine needles, and combustible debris from within 30 feet of structures
  • Keep lawns mowed short during the dry season
  • Remove dead branches and limbs near rooftops
  • Ensure driveways and access roads are clear for emergency vehicles — at least 12 feet wide and 13.5 feet of vertical clearance
  • Stack firewood away from the house and outbuildings

July 4th Fireworks Guidance

Despite the extreme fire conditions, Jefferson County has not issued a blanket fireworks ban for July 4. However, the Oregon State Fire Marshal strongly recommends treating fireworks as you would any open flame in drought conditions. Keep fireworks in open, paved, or dirt areas at least 25–50 feet from any structure or dry vegetation. Have a hose, bucket of water, or fire extinguisher within reach at all times. Never attempt to relight a dud — soak it immediately in water.

The safest option remains the professional fireworks display at Madras High School at 10 p.m. on July 4.

Central Oregon Interagency Resources

Residents can check current fire restrictions and conditions through the Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center (COIDC) at gacc.nifc.gov, or the Oregon Department of Forestry's public fire restrictions map at gisapps.odf.oregon.gov/firerestrictions. Conditions can change rapidly — check before you burn or ignite anything outdoors.

Jefferson County Fire & EMS serves communities across a vast rural landscape. With limited resources and long response times in some areas, prevention is the single most effective tool the county has.