Oregon is set to release a new draft wildfire hazard map that will highlight which areas in the state are most at risk of wildfires. This comes after the state’s first attempt at creating a wildfire map faced public backlash and was ultimately rescinded in 2022.
The new map, created by Oregon State University and the Oregon Department of Forestry, aims to provide Oregonians with information about the wildfire risk in their specific tax lots. The map, which will be released on Thursday, will feature three levels of wildfire hazard: low, moderate, and high.
While the new map won’t impact homeowners’ insurance plans, it will help educate the public about their wildfire exposure and assist lawmakers in prioritizing fire adaptation and mitigation resources in vulnerable areas. Properties in high-hazard zones in the wildland-urban interface will have to follow new building and landscaping regulations designed to reduce the risk of wildfires.
The new wildfire hazard map is the result of extensive public outreach and feedback, with hundreds of Oregonians participating in meetings around the state. The map is set to be finalized in October, after which the state’s Building Code Division and Oregon State Fire Marshal will begin creating new building codes and rules for defensible space.
Overall, the goal of the new map is to raise awareness about wildfire risk in Oregon and ensure that residents and officials are prepared to take appropriate measures to prevent and mitigate wildfires in the state. The map is seen as an important tool in addressing the growing threat of wildfires in Oregon.
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