Tracee Tuesday
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Governor Tina Kotek has declared a state of emergency across Oregon due to the imminent threat of wildfire, a move that officials say will help mobilize critical resources as dry conditions and low snowpack create dangerous fire weather across the state — including Central Oregon.
The emergency order, which will remain in effect until December 31, 2026 or until fire conditions improve significantly, gives state fire agencies access to firefighting crews, aerial support and emergency personnel needed to protect people, property and natural landscapes.
Too early, too dry
Local fire officials say the conditions are already concerning this early in the year.
“I think with the current conditions, obviously it is extremely dry. We don’t have any snowpack. And the fuels are already critically low,” said Thad Olsen, Fire Chief with the Cloverdale Fire District in Central Oregon.
Olsen said people haven’t been watering their lawns because they’re worried about their drinking water or simply don’t have access to any water. The combination of extremely dry conditions and critically low fuels means the region is more vulnerable to wildfires than usual.
Staffing shortages raise concerns
Another major concern for local fire districts is limited staffing. Olsen said none of the fire departments in Deschutes County have enough staff to handle multiple fires starting at once.
“None of us have enough staffing to fight all the fires. We rely on mutual aid and automatic aid,” Olsen said.
He noted that Central Oregon fire crews are experienced and well-trained, with agencies including Bend Sisters, Cloverdale, Crooked River and Redmond all having talented resources. But if multiple incidents occur, departments will need to call in extra resources — and that can create delays.
Olsen said the area has “excellent firefighting crews” but that the number of people and their availability is the limiting factor.
What residents should do now
Olsen urged residents to take action immediately to reduce fire risk and create defensible space around their homes.
“We need the participation and that being defensible space. Give us a fighting chance to clear the brush back from your building,” Olsen said.
He said homeowners should clear brush at least 30 feet from their buildings, remove combustibles like planters next to houses, clean leaves and pine needles out of gutters and make sure driveways are accessible for fire trucks.
“If your driveway is overgrown and you couldn’t drive a U-Haul truck down it, then we wouldn’t be able to get a fire truck down it,” Olsen said.
He also recommended residents download apps on their phones that notify them when a wildland fire is in their area so they can be prepared for evacuation.
Governor’s warning
Governor Kotek said increasing heat, dry vegetation and shifting winds continue to align and create dangerous conditions that demand immediate action.
“Oregon has record-setting low snowpack and nearly half of our counties are facing persistent drought conditions,” Kotek said in her statement. “On average, 70% of wildfires in Oregon are human-caused. Prevention starts with every Oregonian — at home, at work, and out and about enjoying our great state.”
To date in 2026, the state has experienced 414 fires that have burned approximately 8,077 acres, with multiple fires causing localized evacuations.
Pacific Power prepares
Pacific Power is also preparing its system to reduce wildfire risk across the Pacific Northwest. The company said a large portion of Oregon has seen a drier than normal rainy season, and NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center and the National Interagency Fire Center indicate a warmer and drier than normal summer.
As part of ongoing wildfire prevention efforts, Pacific Power is taking steps including enhanced safety settings and protective equipment designed to automatically shut off power when lines come into contact with debris, wildlife or strong winds.
During periods of extreme risk, the company may temporarily de-energize power lines to reduce the likelihood of ignition or help limit the spread of active fires. These measures may lead to longer or more frequent outages for customers in some high-risk areas.
“We are preparing for an active wildfire season across our service area and taking proactive steps to reduce risk,” said Carrie Laird, Pacific Power’s vice president of wildfire mitigation and emergency operations.
Customers can prepare for potential outages by ensuring their contact information is up to date to receive outage notifications, review backup power options and assemble an emergency kit.
Resources available
The declaration directs the Oregon Department of Emergency Management to activate the state’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan and coordinate access to personnel and equipment of all state agencies necessary to respond to and recover from conditions caused by this emergency.
The Oregon National Guard may deploy firefighting resources as requested by the Oregon Department of Forestry through Operations Plan Smokey 2026 for the remainder of the fire season.
Governor Kotek urged all Oregonians to be alert and follow instructions and evacuation levels issued by emergency officials, subscribe to emergency alerts on ORAlert.gov, have an evacuation plan, prepare a go-kit and stay aware of changing conditions.
Locals in Central Oregon now face what fire officials call an early and dangerous wildfire season, with dry conditions, limited staffing and the need for resident participation all playing critical roles in how well the region can respond if fires start.
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