MEDFORD, Ore. (May. 8, 2026) — The Oregon Department of Forestry’s Southwest Oregon District has not yet declared fire season in Jackson and Josephine counties, despite warmer temperatures and the start of fire season in other parts of the state.
In a statement Friday, the district said the Oregon Department of Forestry Central Oregon District officially entered fire season, but conditions in Southwest Oregon have not yet reached the thresholds typically used to implement seasonal restrictions.
Forestry officials said each ODF district independently determines when to declare fire season because weather patterns, vegetation conditions and elevations vary significantly across Oregon.
“While temperatures have been heating up, conditions locally haven’t reached the thresholds we typically look for when declaring the start of the season,” the district said in the statement.
Officials said factors used to determine the start of fire season include weather conditions, vegetation moisture levels and overall fire potential.
The Southwest Oregon District said firefighters remain prepared to respond to any new fire starts and that fire season will be declared once conditions become more aligned and consistent with established criteria.
Until then, no fire danger levels or fire season regulations are currently in place in Jackson and Josephine counties.
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