The Alvord Desert outside Burns in Harney County is one of the driest places in Oregon. Gov. Tina Kotek July 10 declared the first drought emergencies of the year for the state. (Photo by Laura Tesler/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek has declared the first drought emergencies of the year for two counties on opposite sides of the state.  

The governor signed two executive orders declaring drought emergencies on Thursday in Baker County along the northeast Oregon-Idaho border, and Lincoln County, on the Oregon Coast, ordering the state’s Office of Emergency Management and the Agriculture and Water Resources departments to assist the counties by expediting review processes and reducing fees for emergency permits to draw more water or temporarily transfer a water right.

Both counties experienced below normal precipitation, higher temperatures, declining streamflow, and a decrease in soil moisture conditions. Lincoln County has been experiencing  drought since May 27, and Baker County has since June 3, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, a joint project of the federal Department of Agriculture, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Conditions are not expected to improve, according to a news release from the governor’s office.

Drought will likely increase wildfire risks and lead to economic impacts on farming, ranching, recreation, tourism and other natural resource sectors, according to the release. It could also shorten crop growing seasons in those parts of the state. Drinking water supplies, fish and wildlife are also at risk of harm.

Between June and November 2024, the governor issued four drought declarations starting with Jefferson County followed by Lake, Wallowa and Harney counties.

Droughts are exacerbated by human-caused climate change, and in the West, droughts have become longer, more frequent and more severe, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Oregon Capital Chronicle

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Mia Maldonado began working at the Oregon Capital Chronicle in 2025 to cover the Oregon Legislature and state agencies with a focus on social services. She began her journalism career with the Capital Chronicle's sister outlet in Idaho, the Idaho Capital Sun, where she received multiple awards for her coverage of the environment and Latino affairs. She has a bachelor's degree in Spanish and international political economy from the College of Idaho. Born and raised in the West, Mia enjoys hiking, skiing and rockhounding in her free time.