We’ve received specific feedback from nearly 2,000 Oregonians that has helped us understand the key areas of concern related to risk classification. We’ve been soliciting and collecting questions, concerns, and other input since the statewide wildfire risk map was released just over a month ago. ![]() At the same time, our partner agencies are working to collect input as they develop the new codes for defensible space ( Office of the State Fire Marshal) and home hardening ( Building Codes Division) and address concerns related to homeowner’s insurance ( Division of Financial Regulation). We knew the first iteration of an undertaking of this scale and complexity wouldn’t be perfect, but we have been and continue to be committed to improving the map and our processes related to it. This work had to be completed by June 30, 2022, less than a year after the bill was adopted. In addition to writing the rules for map development and maintenance with a rules advisory committee, we were also tasked with defining the wildland-urban interface and assigning a risk classification at the property ownership level (1.8 million tax lots across Oregon). The map identifies the risk of a wildfire occurring in a given area to help determine where resources are needed most to protect lives and homes when a wildfire does occur. The Oregon Department of Forestry was directed to develop and maintain a statewide wildfire risk map. Eleven state agencies are tasked with implementing the various components of SB 762. The bill passed in 2021 with bipartisan support and made investments in fire-adapted communities, wildfire response and resilient landscapes. Senate Bill 762 laid the foundation for that bold action. We find ourselves at a critical juncture when it comes to wildfire and need to take bold action to mitigate further catastrophic impacts to Oregonians, communities and our state’s natural resources. ![]() Climate change is bringing us hotter, drier summers and historic levels of drought, resulting in severe wildfire conditions and longer, more complex and more expensive fire seasons. Oregon’s wildfire environment has changed significantly in the past decade. Please see the information i received late yesterday afternoon from the State Forester/Oregon Department of Forestry Director Cal Mukumoto below: Your voices were critical in halting this from moving forward. That said, thank you to all who reached out regarding ODF's Wildfire Risk Map. We will continue to push forward for responsible management of our forest lands that are controlled by our federal agencies and cover over half our state. ![]() In sequestering carbon, our forest resources grow the most resilient building material in the world (wood) with a biproduct that is oxygen. Our forests sequester nearly half of the anthropogenic emissions our state produces as a whole. As they push their climate change agenda, they fail to address and even push back on positive ways to manage our carbon sequestering forest resources, as they are beholden to the environmental groups that oppose any best management practices for the forest resources within our state. While on this topic, hypocrisy is alive and well with the majority party in this area. The remaining 5% started and burned on private lands are kept to under 100 acres. Of the 20% burned off of Federal Lands, 15% of those areas burned are from fires off of Federal Lands. On average in Oregon, 80% of forests burned are on Federal Lands. Our Private Forest Land Owners do an excellent job mitigating fire because their lands are managed and the data is clear on this. ![]() SB 762 had some good investments for wildfire funding and preparedness, bolstered the great work of the State Fire Marshals Office and created the State Wildfire Program, with an appointed excellent and knowledgeable Director, we however have seen the unintended consequences of the legislation roll out over the past month that was our of their hands.įor many, SB 762 does not help address the root cause of catastrophic wildfire, the poor management of our federal forest lands in Oregon. Owens amendment to the WUI (Wildland-Urban Interface) portion of SB 762 to alleviate some potentially devastating impacts to property owners across the state. With only days left in the Legislative Session, we were able to move a version of Rep. During the '21 Legislative Session, the Legislature passed Rogue Valley Senator Jeff Golden's Wildfire Bill.Ĭolleagues and I drafted similar legislation which we moved our of committee, but ultimately the Majority Party was not interested in moving our version of the legislation.
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