Gov. Tina Kotek warns of potentially severe 2026 wildfire season amid drought, low snowpack

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Gov. Tina Kotek received a comprehensive briefing today from state wildfire leaders regarding the potentially severe 2026 wildfire season in Oregon. The briefing took place in Salem, Ore., where Gov. Kotek also signed a proclamation declaring May 2026 as Wildfire Awareness Month. You can watch it online here.

Experts warn of a challenging 2026 wildfire season, driven by severe drought conditions and record-setting low snowpack. State officials are emphasizing early preparation, defensible space and community coordination as critical for the upcoming season. Gov. Kotek highlighted the urgency of the situation, noting that nine counties are already under emergency declarations.

"Oregon is facing severe drought conditions, with nine counties already under emergency declarations," Gov. Kotek said. "Compounding these conditions is our record-setting low snowpack, all of which lend to serious risk for a challenging wildfire season. Each fire season calls for sacrifice, courage and cooperation from everyone involved and in this particular moment, we are ready, we are coordinated and we are all-hands-on-deck as we prepare for the season. Coordination across state, local, Tribal and federal governments will be vital and we also need every Oregonian to do their part, including preventing human-caused fires."

The annual wildfire briefing was held at the Oregon Department of the State Fire Marshal, which maintains critical emergency equipment including communication trailers and Incident Command Vehicles. These resources are for rapid deployment under the Conflagration Act, which mobilizes local fire department resources across the state to protect structures during wildfire threats.

Gov. Kotek was joined by several state leaders at the briefing. These included Oregon State Forester Kacey KC with the Oregon Department of Forestry, State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple, Ore. Department of Emergency Management Director Erin McMahon, Adjutant Gen. Alan Gronewold of the Oregon National Guard, Public Utility Commission Executive Dir. Nolan Moser, Department of Environmental Quality Air Quality Manager Michael Orman and Ed Flick with the Department of Human Services Office of Resiliency and Emergency.

Experts at the briefing identified the lack of snowpack and expanding drought conditions as significant concerns for the coming season. A potentially strong El Niño increases the likelihood of warmer, drier conditions and thunderstorms, which may bring lightning with little rainfall. These factors can intensify wildfire starts.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasts above-normal temperatures and below-average precipitation through October. The risk of significant wildland fires is projected to be above normal east of the Cascades beginning in June. This risk is expected to spread to southwestern Oregon in July.

The 2025 wildfire season saw more than 2,700 wildfires across all jurisdictions in Oregon. This figure is well above the 10-year average of about 2,000 wildfires. However, these fires burned approximately 330,000 acres, which is far less than the 10-year average of more than 700,000 acres.

Prevention, early detection and aggressive initial attack are key strategies for protecting Oregonians and the state's natural resources. Oregon's fire protection system is administered by two primary agencies, the Oregon Department of Forestry and the Oregon Department of the State Fire Marshal. These agencies coordinate closely with federal partners, sovereign Tribal nations, state and local partners, landowners and the contract firefighting community.

The Oregon Department of Forestry is responsible for the wildfire protection of 16 million acres across Oregon. ODF manages the state's complete and coordinated wildfire protection system. ODF employs a three-pronged approach for each fire season, focusing on prevention, detection and aggressive initial attack. The agency aims to minimize wildfire and smoke impacts on Oregonians, communities and natural resources.

ODF uses tools such as multi-mission aircraft and a statewide detection camera system to find wildfires as early as possible. This allows resources to be deployed quickly to keep fires small. ODF maintains about 800 personnel and more than 300 engines, tenders, dozers and other equipment. Additionally, ODF has statewide aviation resources that are moved based on fire danger. ODF also collaborates with the Oregon Military Department and out-of-state partners for additional firefighting resources.

The Oregon Department of the State Fire Marshal supports statewide community and structure protection against wildfire. It does so through partnerships with more than 300 local fire departments. OSFM oversees the state's Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System, which mobilized to eight conflagrations last year.

To address the wildfire crisis, OSFM is working to prepare communities for greater resilience. The agency and its partners have completed more than 6,300 defensible space assessments.

State agencies emphasized that early steps taken by residents can have major impacts during wildfire season. Oregonians are encouraged to space and prune trees to prevent fire from climbing into tree canopies and spreading to homes. They should also remove leaves, pine needles, bark mulch and other debris within 100 feet of structures or up to their property line. Cleaning roofs and gutters of flammable debris is also recommended.

Additional preparation steps include moving combustible materials, such as mulch and firewood, away from homes. Residents should keep plants trimmed and clear of dead material, especially near the house. It is also advised to avoid planting directly under eaves, leaving at least a five-foot buffer.

Oregonians should also know their evacuation routes and be prepared for two weeks. They can sign up for emergency alerts at OR-Alert. Residents can stay informed about local air quality and smoke conditions by using the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality's AirNow program.

Officials anticipate a challenging 2026 wildfire season due to current drought conditions and low snowpack. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasts warmer, drier conditions and below-average precipitation through October. The risk of significant wildland fires is projected to be above normal east of the Cascades beginning in June, spreading to southwestern Oregon in July. Early preparation, defensible space and community coordination will be critical throughout the 2026 fire season.