July 25, 2025 10:00 a.m.
Douglas County Commissioners recently declared an Emergency Drought Order.
On Wednesday, July 16th, Public Works Director Scott Adams requested the declaration to alleviate the suffering of citizens and livestock and to protect or mitigate economic loss, as well as be responsive to the threat of wildfires.
A county release said Douglas is the third county to declare an emergency drought order in Oregon this year. Governor Tina Kotek has already declared State of Drought Emergencies in Lincoln and Baker counties. The order formally declaring a drought in Douglas County has officially been recorded, and Douglas County has submitted a signed copy of the order along with an urgent request to Governor Kotek, asking for an official executive order from the State for an Emergency Drought Declaration for Douglas County pursuant to state revised statutes.
The Emergency Drought order is a direct result of severe and continued drought conditions, and that such an emergency threatens the availability of essential services and jeopardizes the peace, health and welfare of the people of Douglas County. The Governor’s executive order will allow increased flexibility in how water is managed to ensure that limited supplies are used as efficiently as possible. It will authorize state agencies to expedite water management tools to users who would not otherwise have access.
The order cited that county agricultural, livestock, forest products industries and related businesses are experiencing economic hardship and potential serious injury and losses resulting from extreme weather conditions within the county. Those conditions will result in the loss of economic stability, decreased feed, and pasture production, shortened growing season and decreased water supplies for Douglas County agricultural, livestock, and vineyard producers. In addition, the multi-year cumulative drought has resulted in decreased fuel moisture and early onset fire danger.
The release said as of July 10th, the Oregon Water Resources Department Water Conditions Report states that Douglas County stream flows were 63 percent of average for the month of June 2025. The report also states that soil moisture levels are very low. Also as of July 10th, U.S. Drought Monitor of Oregon illustrates that the majority of the county is already in Moderate Drought.
The release said the extended weather forecast for the county projects higher than normal temperatures and below average precipitation.