[6] The wildfire season in Oregon experienced an early start due to an abnormally dry spring coupled with low snowpack levels amid an ongoing drought.

[8] As with much of the rest of the Western United States,[9] fire officials were predicting another above-average season in 2021 due to expected low precipitation and high temperatures.

[2][7] In preparation for the wildfire season, forest officials performed prescribed burns[10] and state lawmakers worked on wildfire-mitigation legislation designed to create wildfire risk maps, update building codes, and create new rules related to defensible space around homes in the wildland–urban interface.

[5] The following is a list of fires that burned more than 1,000 acres (400 ha), or produced significant structural damage or casualties.

At the end of July 2021, Governor Kate Brown signed a bill to invest $220 million in wildfire prevention, preparedness, and response.