Wildfire 2026

While Oregon’s first 2026 heatwave is winding down Tuesday, heat and drought are expected to worsen through the summer and will heighten wildfire risks across Oregon.

Climatologists are predicting an active fire season after a dry winter. Firefighters around the west are standing ready. That includes crews at California’s only smokejumper base.

Wildfires have gone from being a seasonal occurrence to a constant risk across California, and are becoming larger and more unpredictable amid the worsening impacts of climate change.

Fire season begins Friday in Jackson and Josephine counties as drought, dry vegetation and low snowpack raise wildfire concerns across Southern Oregon.

Oregon’s wildfire season started early this year and is expected to last into October, according to state fire experts.

Sen. Ron Wyden spoke with state foresters in Medford about what to expect for the upcoming wildfire season.

With reservoirs brimming — but snowpack abysmal — experts warn of a potentially early fire season.