Zika wildfire protection bill heads to governor’s desk

Legislation to improve Oregon’s wildfire wildfire protection efforts unanimously passed the Oregon Senate on Tuesday and is headed to Gov. Kate Brown’s desk, chief sponsor Rep. Jack Zika, R-Redmond announced.

House Bill 2222 will require the Oregon Department of Forestry to report to the legislature regarding its implementation of the Oregon Forestland-Urban Interface Act, which was signed into law in 1997.

The law was intended to provide property owners incentives and tools to remove ladder fuels in order to better protect Oregon residents from catastrophic wildfire. Zika said protections intended by the act have been implemented slowly. HB 2222 is intended to speed implementation and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire in Central Oregon and the rest of the state.

“This is a bipartisan bill that will help speed implementation of important fuel-reduction efforts in Central Oregon and around the state,” Zika said. “We have seen too many communities in California and elsewhere destroyed by fire. Communities in Central Oregon face similar risks. This bill is one part of reducing that risk and safeguarding our communities.”

HB 2222 had the bipartisan support of co- chief sponsors Sen. Betsy Johnson, Rep. Cheri Helt and Rep. Daniel Bonham. Zika carried the bill through the House Committee on Natural Resources and Oregon House vote, where it also was supported unanimously. Zika also testified on behalf of the bill before the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources.

Zika represents House District 53 which includes the communities of Redmond, Tumalo, Sunriver and portions of Bend and unincorporated Deschutes County.