PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon aviation and emergency-management officials are warning drone operators to stay away from active wildfires as crews continue battling 16 large fires across the state.
The Oregon Department of Aviation and Oregon Department of Emergency Management say an unauthorized drone in a fire zone can force air tankers and helicopters to immediately stop flying. Firefighting aircraft frequently operate at low elevations—often in the same airspace used by recreational drones—and even a brief interruption can give a wildfire time to grow or cross containment lines.
“If you fly, we can’t,” the agencies said in their warning.
The renewed appeal comes during an exceptionally destructive Oregon wildfire season. Approximately 2.63 million acres have burned across the state in 2026—nearly four times the 10-year annual average. Oregon has recorded 75 large fires this season, 28 more than its 10-year average. KATU reported the statewide totals Tuesday.
Conditions have improved enough for the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center to lower the region’s preparedness level Thursday from Level 5, the highest possible designation, to Level 4. Officials said the number of large fires is declining and containment is increasing, allowing some resources to be reassigned or released. The national preparedness level remains at Level 5.
Despite that progress, fire danger remains high. Thunderstorms are forecast in parts of the Pacific Northwest over the weekend, and a Fire Weather Watch has been posted for the eastern Columbia River Gorge, Lower Columbia Basin and Warm Springs Reservation.
The Big Grass Fire in southeastern Oregon remains the state’s largest active wildfire. As of Thursday, it had burned 579,008 acres and was 85 percent contained. Fire managers remain concerned that wind and dust devils could carry embers beyond established fire lines into unburned vegetation. Crews are continuing to search for and extinguish pockets of heat.
The Grasshopper Fire east of Mount Hood had grown to 92,456 acres and was 66 percent contained Thursday morning. The Oregon State Fire Marshal has begun reducing the number of structural task forces assigned to the incident, although remaining crews continue to patrol neighborhoods, strengthen mop-up work around homes and prepare to respond if conditions worsen. The Red Cross shelter at The Dalles Middle School has closed. The Northwest fire update was released Thursday.
State officials say unauthorized drones have already delayed aircraft responding to Oregon wildfires. When a drone is detected, fire managers must clear firefighting aircraft from the area until they can confirm the airspace is safe. Drone-detection equipment may be deployed around active incidents to identify illegal flights.
People who fly drones over or near wildfires can face civil fines of up to $75,000, as much as 12 months in federal prison, confiscation of their equipment and permanent revocation of pilot certificates.
“No photo is worth a federal prison sentence or a $75,000 fine,” Oregon Department of Emergency Management Director of Response and Recovery Andrew Jahier said. “When your drone is in the air, fire aircraft can’t fly, delaying critical firefighting efforts.”
Oregon Department of Aviation Director Kenji Sugahara said an unauthorized drone can force aircraft out of a fire area when they are needed most.
Drone operators should check for Temporary Flight Restrictions before every flight, but officials stress that all active wildfire areas should be treated as strict no-drone zones—even at night and on weekends. Suspected drone activity near a wildfire should be reported immediately to local law enforcement or 911.
Residents can find current incident information through the Oregon State Fire Marshal and should follow local sheriff’s offices for official evacuation notices. Road conditions are available through TripCheck, while smoke and air-quality information is available through Oregon Smoke Information and AirNow.
