SALEM, Ore. (Jun. 16, 2026) — Governor Tina Kotek on Tuesday declared a statewide emergency in response to the growing threat of wildfires across Oregon, citing worsening conditions driven by increasing temperatures, dry vegetation, shifting winds, low snowpack and ongoing drought.
The declaration, issued through Executive Order 26-10, will remain in effect until wildfire conditions have significantly improved, the fire season concludes, or Dec. 31, 2026, whichever comes first.
“Increasing heat, dry vegetation, and shifting winds continue to align and create dangerous conditions that demand immediate action,” Kotek said in a statement. “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.”
Under Oregon Revised Statute 401.165, Kotek determined the state is facing an imminent risk of critical fire danger that threatens lives, public safety and property due to continued warm and dry conditions.
State officials reported that Oregon has already experienced 414 wildfires in 2026, burning approximately 8,077 acres. Several of those incidents have prompted localized evacuation notices.
The emergency declaration ensures Oregon’s primary wildfire response agencies — the Oregon Department of Forestry and the Oregon Department of the State Fire Marshal — have access to the personnel, equipment and resources necessary to carry out wildfire suppression efforts aimed at protecting communities, property and natural resources.
The order also directs the Oregon Department of Emergency Management to activate the state’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan. Through that activation, OEM will coordinate personnel and equipment from state agencies needed to assess, respond to, mitigate and recover from wildfire-related emergencies.
Kotek urged residents to remain vigilant throughout the summer months, warning that conditions are expected to worsen.
“Throughout the summer, it will get hotter and drier,” Kotek said. “Oregon has record-setting low snowpack and nearly half of our counties are facing persistent drought conditions. On average, 70% of wildfires in Oregon are human-caused. Prevention starts with every Oregonian – at home, at work, and out and about enjoying our great state.”
The governor encouraged Oregonians to sign up for emergency notifications through ORAlert, develop evacuation plans, prepare emergency “go-kits,” and stay informed about changing fire conditions and evacuation levels issued by local officials.
The declaration also authorizes the Oregon National Guard to deploy and redeploy firefighting resources through Operations Plan Smokey 2026, as requested by the Oregon Department of Forestry, to address staffing shortages and heightened wildfire threats during the remainder of the fire season.
Under the state’s emergency management framework, requests for state resources from local governments and tribal nations must be submitted through county or tribal governing bodies to the Oregon Department of Emergency Management.
The emergency declaration comes as state officials prepare for what could be another challenging wildfire season across Oregon, where prolonged dry conditions and human activity continue to heighten the risk of destructive fires.
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