Draft versions of the statewide wildfire hazard and wildland-urban interface maps are now available for public review and comment on Oregon State University's Wildfire Risk Explorer website.
The Oregon Department of Forestry said the wildfire hazard maps' purposes are to educate Oregon residents and property owners about the level of hazard where they live, assist in prioritizing fire adaptation and mitigation resources for the most vulnerable locations, and identify where defensible space standards and home hardening codes will apply.
A series of open houses about the state's new community wildfire risk reduction programs were held from June 3rd to July 1st throughout Oregon. It was a chance to learn about wildfire hazard assessments, new defensible space and home hardening programs and standards, insurance concerns and state wildfire policy.
Representatives from OSU, ODF, Oregon State Fire Marshal, Department of Consumer and Business Services' Building Codes Division and Division of Financial Regulation, and the Wildfire Advisory Council addressed hours of questions at the events and engaged with more than 500 community members.
At those meetings, early maps depicting wildfire hazards were available, but property tax-level maps were not yet available. Draft maps are now ready for Oregonians to see the hazard designation of their specific address and whether they're in the wildland-urban interface. The draft maps reflect recent revisions.
Comments can be sent to "hazardmap@odf.oregon.gov."
