Oregon is entering a precarious summer with its snowpack holding just 12 percent of normal water by early April — the lowest on record. Governor Tina Kotek declared drought emergencies in nine counties as farmers watched irrigation allotments shrink. The state's mountains received scant snow after a winter averaging 38.6°F, nearly 5 degrees above normal, with rain replacing snowfall across much of the region.

For farmers, the shortage hits hard. Devon Wells, a Hood River Valley grower of cherries, pears and apples, fears smaller pear yields could drag down prices when crops reach stores in late summer. Irrigation water has already been cut in the Klamath basin and central Oregon. Reservoirs entered the year relatively full but are on track to run low by midsummer.

Don Gabbard, a fire chief in John Day, expects wildfire season to begin early as forecasters warn of high fire risk across eastern Oregon by June. Farmers and firefighters alike are scrambling for preparation time.