Oregon Governor Tina Kotek signed Executive Order 26-10 on June 15, 2026, declaring a state of emergency due to the imminent threat of wildfire across the state — the same day the Oregon Department of Forestry officially announced that fire season had begun.

The Emergency Declaration

In her statement, Kotek framed the declaration as a proactive measure to ensure Oregon is fully mobilized before fires strike.

"Increasing heat, dry vegetation, and shifting winds continue to align and create dangerous conditions that demand immediate action," Kotek said. "I am declaring a State of Emergency to ensure all available resources — firefighting crews, aerial support, ground resources, and emergency personnel are prepared for deployments — to protect people, property, and our natural landscapes."

The executive order:

  • Ensures the Oregon Department of Forestry and the State Fire Marshal's office have the crews and equipment they need
  • Directs the Oregon Department of Emergency Management to activate the state's Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan
  • Remains in effect through the end of 2026 unless fire season ends or the threat substantially subsides

Conditions Driving the Declaration

Kotek pointed to several alarming indicators heading into summer. Oregon is experiencing record-setting low snowpack this year, and nearly half of the state's counties are under persistent drought conditions. As of mid-June, Oregon had already seen 414 fires burn more than 8,000 acres — an early and active start to the season.

The declaration came on the same day the National Weather Service in Pendleton issued Red Flag Warnings for much of eastern Washington and northeast Oregon, with west winds of 20–30 mph, gusts up to 45 mph, and afternoon humidity as low as 19%.

A Call for Personal Preparedness

Kotek also directed her message to individual Oregonians, reminding them that approximately 70% of wildfires in Oregon are human-caused. She urged residents to stay aware of changing conditions, follow emergency officials' instructions, and subscribe to emergency alerts at ORAlert.gov.

"Every household should have an evacuation plan and a go-kit," Kotek said. "Prevention starts with every Oregonian — at home, at work, and out and about enjoying our great state."

Seasonal Context

The early emergency declaration reflects how dramatically fire conditions have changed. Oregon typically sees peak fire activity in July through September, but with record low snowpack, early season drying, and the heat patterns seen this June, fire managers are treating this more like mid-summer than early summer. The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest raised its fire danger to Moderate in early June and imposed seasonal fire restrictions along the Illinois River Road corridor.