Fire season has officially arrived in Jefferson County — and it came early this year.

Jefferson County Fire & EMS closed all open burning effective sunset on Sunday, May 3, 2026, several weeks ahead of the typical June 1 seasonal closure. The accelerated timeline was driven by rapidly drying fire fuels and forecasted weather conditions, as well as multiple fires caused by runaway brush burns that strained local resources.

The Jefferson County Rural Fire District 1 website is clear: OPEN BURNING IS CLOSED.

ODF Regulated Use Closure in Effect

The Oregon Department of Forestry has also implemented a Regulated Use Closure for Jefferson County and neighboring counties — Crook, Deschutes, Gilliam, and Wheeler — under the protection of the Prineville, Fossil, and Sisters ODF districts.

Under the regulated use closure, the following are prohibited for the duration of fire season:

  • Backyard and debris burning
  • Use of exploding targets
  • Use of tracer ammunition
  • Open campfires outside designated areas (check individual site rules)

Additionally, Jefferson County Code (JCC 8.72.040) automatically triggers a Moderate (Blue) fire danger level from July 1 through September 30 each year. Due to current conditions, that designation was implemented early for 2026.

A Dry Year with High Stakes

Oregon officials have flagged 2026 as a potentially severe wildfire year. Below-average snowpack from the 2025-26 winter left soils and vegetation across Central Oregon significantly drier than normal heading into spring. Warm temperatures and reduced precipitation have accelerated the drying of fuels across the region.

Jefferson County's landscape — covering high desert, juniper and sage benchlands, and timber country bordering the Warm Springs Reservation and the Deschutes National Forest — presents a wide range of fire risk environments. Areas around Lake Billy Chinook, Crooked River Ranch, and the forested western reaches of the county near Camp Sherman are considered particularly vulnerable.

What Residents Can Do

Residents throughout Jefferson County — including Madras, Culver, Metolius, Crooked River Ranch, and unincorporated rural areas — should take the following steps now:

  • Clear defensible space around homes and outbuildings
  • Know your evacuation zone using the Jefferson County Evacuation Map at arcgis.com
  • Sign up for emergency alerts through Jefferson County Emergency Management
  • Avoid parking vehicles on dry grass
  • Never leave campfires unattended

For current fire restrictions and permit information, contact Jefferson County Fire & EMS at 541-475-1789, or visit the ODF public fire restrictions map at gisapps.odf.oregon.gov/firerestrictions.

Violations of burn restrictions can result in fines and civil liability for suppression costs if a fire escapes.