Oregon's wildfire season has arrived ahead of schedule, and state emergency officials are sending a clear message: don't wait for flames to start planning. The Oregon Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is urging all Oregonians — especially those living in wildland-urban interface areas — to build comprehensive evacuation plans now.

Season Is Already Active

Even before Oregon's official June 15 fire season declaration, fire agencies have already responded to multiple wildfires in northern and eastern Oregon. While those fires have been short-lived so far, they represent a warning of what's to come. Several counties, cities, and state agencies have already declared regional fire seasons, drought emergencies, and burn bans — all ahead of the formal statewide declaration.

"Wildfire season is settling in early across Oregon," an OEM statement noted. "Resources have already responded to multiple wildfires in Northern and Eastern Oregon. While no one wants to live in fear and panic, it pays to be prepared."

Building Your Evacuation Plan

OEM recommends that every household in fire-prone areas develop and practice an evacuation plan that covers the following:

  • Know your evacuation zone: Oregon uses a 1-2-3 Ready, Set, Go! system. Know your zone level and what actions are required at each stage.
  • Identify multiple escape routes: Don't rely on a single road out. Know at least two ways to leave your neighborhood.
  • Prepare a go-bag: Include medications, important documents, phone chargers, water, food for 72 hours, and supplies for pets.
  • Sign up for emergency alerts: Register with your county's emergency alert system. Most Oregon counties use a system that delivers alerts via text, phone call, and email.
  • Have a meeting place: Establish where your family will meet if separated and who the out-of-area contact person is.

Defensible Space Remains Critical

Beyond evacuation planning, officials emphasize that defensible space — clearing vegetation and combustible materials around a home — is one of the most effective ways to improve a structure's chances of surviving a wildfire even if residents must evacuate.

Southern Oregon officials in the Grants Pass Tribune area noted that "clearing dry vegetation, removing debris from roofs and gutters, trimming trees away from structures, and maintaining defensible space around homes can significantly improve a property's chances of surviving a wildfire."

Oregon law requires property owners in designated fire hazard zones to maintain a minimum defensible space. But officials say that going beyond the legal minimum significantly improves outcomes.

Resources Available

Several Oregon agencies offer free resources for evacuation planning and defensible space assessment:

  • Oregon Office of Emergency Management: oregon.gov/oem — evacuation planning templates and county alert sign-up links
  • Oregon Department of Forestry: oregon.gov/odf — burn restrictions, fire danger ratings, and fire season information
  • Ready.gov/wildfires — federal resource for wildfire preparedness planning