There’s still time for the public to comment on Oregon’s revised draft wildfire hazard map, proposed rules

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — The public still has time to provide comments about both the draft statewide wildfire hazard map and proposed administrative rules associated with the map. These public comment opportunities are among the last steps before the release of the final map in October.

The proposed administrative rules will be used by OSU to address how irrigated agricultural lands are considered when assessing hazard for the map and will establish the process for appealing a hazard zone or wildland-urban interface designation. 

Three public hearings were conducted virtually last week, but additional written comments can be sent to maprules@odf.oregon.gov until 5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 15. Input received will be shared with the Board of Forestry prior to their decision on whether to adopt the rules. Please state which rule you’re commenting on in your email.

Draft versions of the statewide wildfire hazard and wildland-urban interface maps are available on Oregon State University’s Wildfire Risk Explorer website. These drafts reflect revisions based on public input and county governments received over the last two years and legislative changes. Revisions include:

• Adjustments for hay and pasturelands.
• Adjustments for northwest Oregon forest fuels.
• Changes based on draft rules to include irrigation of agricultural crops as a mitigating factor in wildfire hazard assessments. Final maps will reflect rules as adopted by the Board of Forestry.

Comments on the draft map can be sent to hazardmap@odf.oregon.gov until 5 p.m. on Aug. 18.

The wildfire hazard map's 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.
• Identify where defensible space standards and home hardening codes will apply.

These comment periods follow a series of open houses about the state’s new community wildfire risk reduction programs, which were held from June 3 to July 1 throughout Oregon. These meetings were an opportunity for people to learn more about wildfire hazard assessments, new defensible space and home hardening programs and standards, insurance concerns, and statewide wildfire policy and engage directly with state agency staff. 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 Programs Advisory Council addressed hours of questions at the events and engaged with over 500 community members. 

Find more information on ODF’s wildfire hazard web page.