Final Statewide Wildfire Hazard Maps Released in Oregon

Salem, Oregon- The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and Oregon State University (OSU) have completed the final statewide wildfire hazard and wildland-urban interface maps, now accessible on the Oregon Explorer website. The maps, designed to assess wildfire risks across the state, classify all 1.9 million property tax lots into low, moderate, or high hazard zones. They also identify properties within the wildland-urban interface (WUI), a critical factor in wildfire risk mitigation efforts.

Notifications are being sent to property owners with high hazard and WUI designations. These certified mail packets include detailed information about the designation, potential implications, and an outline of appeal rights. “It’s a hefty packet of information,” said Tim Holschbach, Wildfire Hazard Map Lay Representative. “However, we want to ensure Oregonians get all the relevant information they need on their wildfire hazard exposure.”

Purpose of the Maps

The wildfire hazard map serves three primary goals:

• Educating residents about their wildfire hazard levels.

• Prioritizing fire adaptation and mitigation resources for vulnerable areas.

• Identifying where defensible space standards and home-hardening building codes may apply.

Future mitigation efforts and building codes will focus on properties with both high hazard and WUI designations. Property owners can access additional details, including a Property Owner’s Report for each tax lot, on the Oregon Explorer website.

A Collaborative Development Process

The finalized maps are the result of extensive feedback and refinement since the initial release in 2022. After the first draft was rescinded, ODF and OSU spent over two years incorporating public and stakeholder input, culminating in a revised draft available for public review from July 18 to August 18. Nearly 2,000 comments were submitted during this 30-day period, leading to adjustments addressing neighbor-to-neighbor hazard zone variations and other concerns.

Key updates to the maps since 2022 include:

• Adjustments for hay and pasturelands.

• Revisions to forest fuel classifications in northwest Oregon.

• Changes to certain irrigated agricultural fields.

• Corrections for anomalies identified by county planners.

“It’s important that the map is as objective and understandable as possible,” said Kyle Williams, Deputy Director of Fire Operations at ODF. “It took additional time to ensure community protection measures like home hardening and defensible space are prioritized in communities of highest wildfire hazard. It’s been time well spent, and we’re pleased with the diligence ODF staff and OSU researchers put into addressing input from all sources.”

Addressing Public Concerns

Two main themes of public input remain unaddressed by map changes: the relationship between the maps and insurance and the impact of existing fire mitigation efforts on hazard ratings.

Oregon Senate Bill 82 prohibits insurers from using the wildfire hazard map to determine coverage or rates. The state’s Division of Financial Regulation confirmed that no insurance companies in Oregon are using these maps for such purposes.

In response to concerns about hazard designations not reflecting individual mitigation efforts, ODF clarified that hazard ratings are determined by broader environmental factors, including weather, climate, and vegetation, rather than individual property conditions. Properties already meeting defensible space and fire-hardening standards are unlikely to face additional requirements under future codes.

Looking Ahead

Officials remark that the completion of the wildfire hazard maps marks a significant step in Oregon’s ongoing efforts to enhance wildfire preparedness and resilience. Property owners and stakeholders are encouraged to review the maps and resources available on ODF’s wildfire hazard webpage.