October 28, 2026 3:20 a.m. 

On Tuesday, the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District officially declared an end to the 2026 fire season in Jackson and Josephine counties, effective Wednesday, October 28th.

A ODF release said recent rainfall, cooler temperatures and a shift toward consistent fall weather have allowed all fire season regulations and Industrial Fire Precaution Levels to be lifted. This declaration affects approximately 1.8 million acres of state, private, county, city and Bureau of Land Management forestlands protected by ODF across Jackson and Josephine counties.

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%.

The release said 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.

For fire prevention information and updates from the ODF Southwest Oregon District, visit www.swofire.com.