JACKSON & JOSEPHINE COUNTIES, Ore. (Oct. 27, 2026) – After 166 days, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Southwest Oregon District is officially declaring an end to the 2026 fire season in Jackson and Josephine counties, effective Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at 12:01 a.m.
Recent rainfall, cooler temperatures and a shift toward consistent fall weather have allowed all fire season regulations and Industrial Fire Precaution Levels (IFPL) to be lifted. This declaration affects approximately 1.8 million acres of state, private, county, city and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) forestlands protected by ODF across Jackson and Josephine counties. At this time, industrial slash burning remains prohibited.
Since fire season was declared on May 15, ODF firefighters have responded to 210 fires across Jackson and Josephine counties, totaling approximately 17,220 acres burned. Despite periods of extreme fire danger, rapidly developing incidents and multiple large fires requiring extended suppression efforts, firefighters successfully kept 95% of fires at 10 acres or less, just below ODF’s annual goal of 98%.
Dry conditions were already creating challenges before the official start of fire season. On May 9, the Carney Flat Fire burned approximately 23 acres, highlighting the potential for wildfire activity even before seasonal restrictions took effect. Just ten days after fire season began, the Blackwell Road Fire burned approximately 48 acres on May 25. Additional incidents followed in June, including the Spencer Gulch Fire on June 14 and the West Jones Creek Road Fire on June 15, demonstrating the early-season fire potential across the district.
One of the most significant incidents of the season was the East Evans Creek Fire, which began July 10 in Jackson County and ultimately burned approximately 15,580 acres. Rapid fire growth, challenging terrain and heavy fuel loads complicated suppression efforts, prompting the deployment of ODF Complex Incident Management Team 1 and later Florida Complex Incident Management Team 1. Firefighters spent weeks strengthening containment lines and protecting surrounding communities, with extensive support from local, state and federal agencies.
On July 19, the Waldo Road and Ridge Vista fires started within minutes of each other near Cave Junction, creating simultaneous demands on firefighters and emergency responders. The fires burned approximately 31 and 16 acres, prompting evacuation notices and requiring a coordinated response from multiple agencies. These incidents highlighted the challenges of managing multiple fire starts at once while maintaining resources for additional emergencies.
August brought several more significant incidents, beginning with the Interstate 5 Mile Marker 57 Fire near Grants Pass on August 1, which burned approximately 96 acres. Days later, the Woodrat Mountain Fire started in the Applegate Valley on August 6, growing to approximately 288 acres. On August 13, the Fielder Mountain Fire ignited near Rogue River, presenting particularly challenging conditions due to intense fire activity, steep terrain along Interstate 5 and its proximity to nearby homes and the city of Rogue River. The fire ultimately burned approximately 573 acres and prompted the deployment of ODF Incident Management Team 1 to assist with suppression efforts and structure protection.
Fire activity continued into September and October. On September 20, firefighters responded to the Anderson Butte Road Fire in the Upper Applegate, which ultimately burned approximately 78 acres. The West Fork Evans Creek Fire followed on October 15 in the Sams Valley area, growing to approximately 283 acres. Steep, rocky terrain, heavy fuels and limited water access complicated suppression efforts, demonstrating that significant wildfire activity remained possible even as fall weather began arriving across Southwest Oregon.
Throughout the season, aggressive initial attack, aviation resources and close coordination with local fire districts, law enforcement, emergency management agencies and state and federal partners played a critical role in limiting fire growth and maintaining response capabilities during extended incidents.
Fall weather began bringing relief to Southwest Oregon in October, with cooler temperatures, improved relative humidity recovery, shorter daylight hours and the absence of persistent dry east winds contributing to decreasing fire danger. Recent widespread rainfall and additional precipitation have provided the moisture needed to bring the declared fire season to an end.
The termination of fire season removes ODF’s seasonal fire prevention regulations on equipment use and debris burning for the public and industrial operations on protected forestlands. However, industrial slash burning remains prohibited. Many structural fire agencies require permits for residential debris burning, and additional local restrictions may apply. Before burning, residents should check with their local fire department for permit requirements and confirm that burning is allowed in their area.
Residents can check daily burning conditions through their county’s burn information line:
• Jackson County Burn Line: (541) 776-7007
• Josephine County Burn Line: (541) 476-9663
Although the declared fire season has ended, wildfires can still start and spread during fall and winter, particularly during dry or windy conditions. Residents are encouraged to never leave burn piles unattended, keep water and tools readily available and use caution when operating machinery that could produce sparks.
Fire season ends in ODF Southwest Oregon District following widespread rainfall
