Kotek declares a drought emergency in two more Oregon counties

Gov. Tina Kotek on Tuesday declared drought emergencies in Coos and Wheeler counties, directing state agencies to provide assistance and resources to those regions.

Both counties have experienced moderate drought conditions since June, and Wheeler County has seen severe drought since mid-July, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Some metrics indicate long-term drought conditions have persisted in Wheeler County over the past year, according to a statement from the governor’s office.

In her executive order, Kotek directed Oregon’s departments of agriculture, water resources and emergency management to aid both counties. The order, lasting through the end of the year, also directs the state Water Resources Department to seek information about the impacts of water availability on fish and wildlife, and all other state agencies to help coordinate resources.

Forecasts suggest that both counties are likely to continue experiencing drier and warmer conditions than usual, according to the executive order.

“Without sustained precipitation, drought conditions are likely to persist or intensify,” Kotek said in the order. “Drought is likely to have a significant economic impact on the agricultural, livestock, natural resource and recreational tourism sectors and increase the risk of wildfire.”

Kotek has declared drought emergencies in five other counties so far this year — Douglas, Lincoln, Morrow, Union and Baker — bringing the total count to seven, an increase from last year’s four.

That’s part of a broader, multiyear pattern of more frequent, widespread and severe drought conditions throughout Oregon because of rising temperatures and shifting precipitation patterns caused by climate change, according to the Oregon Climate Change Research Institute’s Oregon Climate Assessment.

Droughts can impact agriculture, water supply, hydropower, tourism and recreation, fisheries, wildfire risk and public health, according to the National Integrated Drought Information System.

Kotek’s drought declaration unlocks a number of emergency tools to mitigate those impacts, according to her office’s statement. For example, it allows the Water Resources Department to expedite review processes and reduce fee schedules.

The Oregon Water Resources Department and Oregon Department of Emergency Management will continue to monitor conditions.

— Maddie Khaw covers breaking news, public safety and more for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach her at mkhaw@oregonian.com.