Oregon’s 2025 Wildfire Season Ends With Fewer Acres Burned Despite More Fire Starts

Salem, Oregon- The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) announced last week that all fire restrictions across its districts have been lifted, officially ending the 2025 wildfire season.

This year’s season saw a notable improvement over 2024, with significantly fewer acres burned despite an increase in total fire starts. ODF officials credited the outcome to aggressive firefighting strategies and swift initial responses across the state.

“Through aggressive initial attack and the dedication of our firefighters, we had a season with significantly fewer acres burned compared to last year even with more fire starts,” said Kyle Williams, ODF Deputy Director of Fire Operations. “This year had the potential to be similar to last year, but ODF firefighters showed up every single day to make sure that did not happen.”

According to ODF, there were 1,135 fires on ODF-protected lands in 2025, burning a total of 24,275 acres. That figure represents roughly 100 more fire starts than last year, yet far fewer total acres burned.

“Due to the agency’s aggressive approach to initial attack to preserve natural resources, protect communities, and increase firefighter safety, many fire starts that happened this year were never heard about,” said Michael Curran, ODF Fire Protection Division Chief. “In 2025, 94 percent of fires on ODF-protected lands were put out at 10 acres or fewer.”

ODF’s Complex Incident Management Teams were deployed six times during the season to assist with major wildfires, including the Rowena Fire, Elk Fire, Marks Creek Fire, Grizzley Complex, Flat Fire, and Kelsey Peak Fire.

Statewide, across all jurisdictions, Oregon recorded 2,569 wildfires in 2025 that burned an estimated 288,774 acres.

Officials noted that the timing of the season’s end varies by district, depending on local drought conditions, weather patterns, and vegetation trends. This year’s conclusion was prompted by the arrival of steady rain, cooler temperatures, and shorter days, which together lowered fire risk across the state.

With the official end of the 2025 fire season, ODF is shifting its focus toward prevention, fuels reduction, and mitigation planning for next year. The agency also continues to remind residents to check with local fire departments before conducting any debris or slash burns, as some permits remain required year-round.