Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wildland Outlook topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sisters fire officials warn of warmer, drier 2026–27 fire season; urge preparedness
Summary
Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District told a May 13 workshop the 2026–27 outlook points to a warmer, drier and longer season with early drying of large fuels and increased risk from dry lightning. Officials urged public education, home assessments and staying at preparedness 'level 1.'
Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District officials told the Sisters City Council workshop on May 13 that the 2026–27 wildland fire outlook points to a warmer, drier and longer season driven by shifting El Niño weather patterns.
"We're going to have a warmer, drier and a longer season that extends out for us," the Fire Chief said, noting above-normal temperatures, low snowpack and early drying of 100- to 1,000-hour fuels. The chief cited recent early wildfires and said those conditions could extend into October.
Councilors pressed for definition and implications of different fuel classes. The chief explained that 1,000-hour fuels are larger-diameter fuels (roughly 8 inches or greater) that can sustain fire once ignited, while 1-hour fuels (grasses) ignite and spread quickly under windy conditions.
District staff reported about 100 attendees at a recent joint preparedness training and described rapid, free home assessments delivered to dozens of properties during mitigation events. "We were able to do 33 home assessments in a single day," the Fire Chief said, highlighting the district's Firewise outreach.
The chief also flagged cause data: according to the presentation, more than four in five wildfires in the area are human-caused. Officials said that high percentage underlines the role of community behavior and education in preventing ignitions. The workshop closed with officials urging residents to adopt preparedness measures, maintain defensible space and sign up for local emergency alerts.
