Forests & wildfire

Oregon’s statewide Land Use Planning Goal 4 is all about forest lands. 1000 Friends of Oregon is at the forefront of "conserving Oregon’s forest land for forest uses" and protecting Oregon and Oregonians from the ever-increasing risks of wildfires that threaten our state’s livability. Fire seasons have grown in length more than 21 percent on average since 1970, and 71 percent of Oregonians now rank wildfire as a top concern, surpassing healthcare and the economy for the first time ever.

Our organization was represented on Governor Kate Brown’s Wildfire Response Council, and chaired its Land Use Sub-Committee. The council was tasked to "review Oregon’s current model for wildfire prevention, preparedness and response, analyzing whether or not the current model is sustainable given our increasing wildfire risks.”

In late 2019, the Wildfire Council published its full 109-page report. To view the Land Use Subcommittee recommendations, click here.

It’s imperative to take action now. As the threat of wildfires continues to multiply, 1000 Friends will persistently advocate for sound land use policies that reduce wildfire risk to protect our forests, cities, and farmlands. In December 2018, we published A New Vision for Wildfire Planning, a report on the role of responsible land use in the reduction of wildfire risk. Part of our work to combat wildfires is advocating for legislation designed to protect our forest and farmlands from development and increased wildfire risk, which is why we supported the successful passage of HB 2225 in the 2019 Oregon Legislative Session.

Join us in building Oregon’s forest protections and wildfire resiliency.

Watch our webinar update on Senate Bill 762 (Oregon’s comprehensive wildfire preparedness legislation) for more information about how we’re working on wildfire issues and how land use planning and wildfire are interconnected.