Oregon's 2026 wildfire season burned a record 2.1 million acres, about 13% more than the 2024 record, and cost more than $235 million to fight, even though 1,813 fires were reported against a recent May-to-October average of around 2,100. OPB
opbFewer fires, record damage: Oregon’s 2026 wildfire season by the numbersA record-low snowpack and summer lightning storms fueled a season that destroyed dozens of homes, killed two men working the fires and pushed firefighting costs past $235 million.
With a record-low snowpack and fewer but larger fires, what should Oregon change before next summer?
