Open burning is now completely closed across Jefferson County, with fire officials citing high winds and multiple runaway brush fires that forced Jefferson County Rural Fire District 1 to act before its usual seasonal cutoff.

The district typically closes open burning by June 1 each year, but dry conditions and erratic wind events pushed the closure earlier this spring. Crews from Jefferson County Fire & EMS and wildland firefighting teams responded to multiple fires ignited by debris burns that escaped control.

What the Restrictions Mean

Under the fire district closure, all open burning is prohibited in the district's jurisdiction. Residents should check with Jefferson County Fire & EMS for the most current status before conducting any outdoor burning.

On state and federal public lands — including BLM and Forest Service areas used heavily by local residents and visitors — Stage 1 Public Use Fire Restrictions have been in place since May 18, 2026. Those restrictions generally prohibit campfires outside of developed campgrounds with fire rings, restrict smoking to vehicles and developed areas, and ban the use of fireworks.

A Severe Season Forecast

Oregon's new State Forester, Kacey KC, has warned that wildfire risk is above normal east of the Cascades in rangeland areas beginning in June — exactly the terrain that covers most of Jefferson County. The National Interagency Fire Center has similarly projected above-normal wildfire potential for the Northwest east of the Cascades.

The forecast is driven by a combination of a historically low snowpack, a warm and dry winter, and multi-day heat events that have rapidly cured fuels across Central Oregon. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek and state fire agencies held a news conference in May to warn residents that the 2026 fire season could be lengthy and severe.

Stay Informed

  • Check current fire restrictions at centraloregonfire.org or the Oregon Department of Forestry's interactive map at gisapps.odf.oregon.gov/firerestrictions
  • Report fires immediately by calling 911
  • Sign up for Jefferson County emergency alerts through jeffco.net

Officials urge residents to avoid any activity that could spark a fire — including target shooting with steel-core or tracer ammunition, grinding and welding near dry vegetation, and operating equipment with faulty spark arrestors.