April 1, 2026 6:00 a.m. 

On Tuesday, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek declared a drought in Baker, Deschutes, and Umatilla counties through an Executive Order and directed state agencies to coordinate and prioritize assistance to the region.

A release from the Governor’s Office said according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, there has been persistent moderate drought conditions in Baker County since June 2025, persistent dry and moderate drought conditions in Deschutes County since June 2025, and persistent and severe drought conditions in Umatilla County since May 2025. There has also been below normal precipitation, above normal temperature, well below normal snowpack, below normal streamflow forecasts and generally drier-than-normal-soil moisture conditions in all counties.

Forecasts suggest that below normal precipitation and streamflow conditions are likely to continue through summer in all counties following an extended period with precipitation and temperature that contributed to well below normal snowpack.

This is the first drought declaration Governor Kotek has issued in the 2026 calendar year.