Central Oregon’s 2026 fire season is in full force, and officials from the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office are calling on residents and visitors alike to exercise extreme caution as dry, hot conditions grip the region through mid-July.

The ODF declared fire season in effect starting 12:01 a.m. on May 8, 2026, and it remains active until the State Forester issues a formal termination order. That means burn restrictions — including prohibitions on open burning without a written permit — are law, not suggestions.

What Is and Is Not Allowed

Under current fire season rules in Oregon, the following are prohibited without a written ODF permit:

  • Open burning on private or public land within or within one-eighth mile of a forest protection district
  • Smoking while working in or traveling through any operation area
  • Use of fuse and caps for blasting without forester approval
  • Discharge of exploding targets or tracer ammunition near forest protection district boundaries

Propane camp stoves and gas-powered portable fire pits with a shutoff valve may still be permitted in some areas, but residents should verify current restrictions before heading out. The Central Oregon Fire Information site (centraloregonfire.org) maintains an up-to-date map of restrictions across both public and private lands.

Extreme Danger Means Fast-Moving Fire Risk

Fire officials have warned that extreme fire danger — the highest rating on the danger scale — means any new ignition is likely to spread rapidly and become difficult to control. Low humidity, dry vegetation, and afternoon winds across Jefferson County’s high desert terrain create textbook conditions for explosive fire growth.

“On average, 85 percent of wildfires across the nation are caused by humans,” according to Central Oregon Fire Information. “Fire restrictions seek to reduce and eliminate unnecessary wildfires to help protect the landscape, communities, and the local economy.”

Lake Billy Chinook: Algae Advisory Still Active

Complicating summer recreation planning, the Oregon Health Authority issued a cyanobacteria (harmful algae) health advisory for Lake Billy Chinook that began in mid-June. The advisory urges visitors to avoid swimming and high-speed water activities in areas where blue-green blooms are visible. Fishing, camping, canoeing, and kayaking remain generally accessible, but OHA recommends not eating fish caught from bloom-affected areas. Jefferson County residents who draw household water directly from the lake should use an alternative source until the advisory is lifted.

Lake Simtustus, located just downstream on the Deschutes River, has also been flagged in the advisory. Both lakes sit within Jefferson County and are popular summer destinations for residents across the region.

Report Fires Immediately

If you spot a wildfire or suspicious smoke in Jefferson County, call 911 immediately. Do not assume someone else has already reported it. Early reports dramatically improve response times and can mean the difference between a contained fire and a community-threatening emergency.

For the latest fire restrictions in your specific area, visit centraloregonfire.org or call your local ODF district office. To check current OHA advisories for local water bodies, visit oregon.gov/oha.