Restrictions lift October 23, but outdoor burning remains subject to local rules and permit requirements.
AT A GLANCE
Area: Klamath and Lake counties, SCOFMP-protected lands
Fire Season: Officially ended Friday, October 23, at 8 a.m.
Restrictions: Seasonal fire restrictions lifted, including in the Klamath River Canyon
Industrial Operations: Fire season requirements no longer in effect
Outdoor Burning: Permits may still be required; check with local fire districts and county health departments
ODF Lands: No burn permits required on exclusively ODF-protected lands outside fire season
Reminder: Landowners may be responsible for suppression costs if a fire escapes their control
UPDATED, Oct. 23, 2026, 2:36pm
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. — The 2026 fire season has officially ended on lands protected by the South-Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership (SCOFMP) in Klamath and Lake counties, effective at 8 a.m. Friday, October 23.
The announcement marks the end of seasonal fire restrictions administered by the partnership, which includes federal and state agencies responsible for wildfire prevention and suppression across the region.
With the end of fire season, the Bureau of Land Management's Lakeview District has also lifted fire restrictions in the Klamath River Canyon.
OUTDOOR BURNING STILL SUBJECT TO REGULATIONS
Although fire season has ended, outdoor burning remains subject to certain regulations.
According to SCOFMP, "Permits are still required for all outdoor debris burning and the burning of slash resulting from forest harvesting operations."
SCOFMP also confirmed that fire season requirements for industrial operations are no longer in effect.
Residents should check with their local rural fire protection districts for specific burning regulations and with county health departments for air quality restrictions before lighting a fire.
The Oregon Department of Forestry's Klamath-Lake District does not issue or require burn permits on lands exclusively protected by ODF when fire season is not in effect. Other local or agency requirements may still apply.
Fire officials also reminded landowners that they are responsible for keeping burns under control. Those who allow a fire to escape may be held liable for the full cost of suppression.
A REGIONAL FIRE MANAGEMENT PARTNERSHIP
SCOFMP coordinates wildland fire services across more than eight million acres of federal, state, and private lands in south-central Oregon and northwestern Nevada.
The partnership includes the Bureau of Land Management's Lakeview District, the Fremont-Winema National Forest, the Oregon Department of Forestry's Klamath-Lake District, the Sheldon-Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex, and Crater Lake National Park.
In announcing the end of the season, SCOFMP thanked seasonal and permanent firefighting personnel, local cooperating agencies, landowners, and residents for their work throughout the year.
The partnership also acknowledged community efforts to prevent wildfires and assist in containing fires that occurred during the 2026 season.
With seasonal restrictions lifted, fire officials continue to encourage residents to use caution with outdoor burning and remain attentive to changing conditions.
Cover Photo / 2026 Fire Season Comes to an End: A ground crew member directs a large airtanker during aviation operations on August 5, 2026. The South-Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership has officially declared the end of fire season in Klamath and Lake counties, effective October 23. SCOFMP, August 5, 2026 (file photo).
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