Governor Tina Kotek and state wildfire leaders are urging Oregonians to prepare now for what may be a difficult 2026 wildfire season. Officials cited severe drought, record-low snowpack, and forecasts for warmer, drier conditions as major concerns, with above-normal fire risk expected to reach southwestern Oregon in July.

PacifiCorp has agreed to pay $575 million to resolve federal claims alleging its electrical lines caused six wildfires in Oregon and California. The settlement covers nearly 290,000 acres of burned federal land and includes no determination of liability.

The Deschutes County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on Jan. 14 to consider proposed wildfire mitigation standards for new residential construction in unincorporated areas of the county.