Take action to make Oregon more wildfire safe and resilient. Read below for more information.
In 2021, the legislature passed Senate Bill 762 with broad bipartisan support and established a comprehensive program of policies and investments to better ensure that Oregon can be more prepared and resilient to future wildfires. One foundational task in the bill is for the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), working with Oregon State University (OSU), to develop a statewide map of the wildland urban interface which is " a zone of transition between wilderness and land developed by human activity – an area where a built environment meets or intermingles with a natural environment." The map would displays five classes of wildfire risk (extreme, high, moderate, low and no risk). The bill also requires this map to show wildfire risk at the property ownership level, establish a notification process to property owners and a process to appeal assignment of a risk classification, display the locations of socially and economically vulnerable communities, and be consistent with national standards.
After months of discussion with a rulemaking advisory committee of 26 members, including timber and conservation interests, property owners and fire fighters, ODF and OSU have developed rules that lay out the criteria for that mapping, based on the most current science, technology, and best practices.
The Board of Forestry is now seeking public input on those wildfire risk mapping criteria before voting on the rules in June. The Board needs to hear from you that adopting these fair and comprehensive rules is critical to increase community safety & preparedness, reduce future wildfire risk, and build resiliency to withstand the increasing severity and frequency of wildfires in Oregon.
Please share your thoughts about making sure you and your community have the information and resources you need to be wildfire-prepared. Send comments to the Oregon Board of Forestry at sb762.rulemaking@oregon.gov until 5 p.m. on May 9th.
Express your support for these rules highlighting the following key messages:
- Adopting these rules will establish a science-based statewide map of wildfire risk that will make all Oregonians safer, allowing communities and families to take steps to reduce risk and make preparedness plans.
- The rules developed by ODF and OSU will build the map based on solid science, national standards and best practices. Maintaining mapping integrity is critical, as this information will be the basis for later decisions by individual Oregonians, fire fighters, other first responders, local governments, and state agencies.
- Oregonians deserve to know the true wildfire risk of where they live and work, so they can take appropriate steps - like having a family safety plan and managing flammable vegetation around one’s home - and join with their communities to establish emergency and evacuation plans, protect critical infrastructure, and ensure the most vulnerable are taken care of.
- SB 762 brings an unprecedented level of investment and support to increase fire protection in areas of high and extreme risk within the Wildland Urban Interface. These rules will build wildfire risk maps that determine the most effective places to aim those investments to make Oregon safer.
- A better prepared Oregon will save lives, homes, businesses, crops, forests, wildlife, and communities.