Welcome to Our Virtual Open House
Learn More about Creating More Wildfire Adapted Communities in Oregon!
Come on in – take a look around – learn more about what Oregon is doing to better prepare for wildfires – give us feedback!
For years, record-breaking wildfires have threatened our communities, businesses, wildlife, and landscapes across Oregon.
By the numbers...
Oregon’s Comprehensive Wildfire Preparedness and Resiliency Bill (Senate Bill 762)
To address heightened wildfire risk, state legislators passed Oregon's first comprehensive wildfire preparedness and resiliency bill (Senate Bill 762) in 2021. The bill helps modernize and improve wildfire preparedness through three strategies:
Proactive Approach to Wildfire
This proactive approach to wildfire preparedness from multiple agencies aims to:
With SB 726, the legislature is taking an all hands on deck approach to develop actionable recommendations and solutions statewide. Overseen by the State Wildfire Programs Director in the Governor’s Office, advised and assisted by the Wildfire Programs Advisory Council, agencies tasked with supporting the goals of SB 762 include:
- Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS)
- Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
- Department of Human Services (DHS)
- Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD)
- Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC)
- Office of Emergency Management (OEM)
- Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF)
- Oregon Health Authority (OHA)
- Office of State Fire Marshal
- Oregon State University (OSU)
- Public Utilities Commission (PUC)
Statewide Wildfire Risk Map – Prioritizes Areas of Risk
As part of SB 762, a statewide wildfire risk map is being developed by Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) in consultation with Oregon State University, state agencies, the State Fire Marshal, federally recognized Indian tribes, local governments, and others. Learn more about current and anticipated rulemaking processes related to wildfire after passage of Senate Bill 762.
Localized Solutions Based on Wildfire Risk
The Wildfire Risk Map will be used to prioritize areas of extreme and high wildfire risk and social vulnerability and create targeted solutions to fit local community needs.
Wildfire Risk Map Availability
The map will be publicly available in the Oregon Wildfire Risk Explorer by June 30, 2022.
Land Use Planning for a More Wildfire Adapted Oregon
As part of the state’s proactive approach to wildfires in SB 762, the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) will be making recommendations to the State Wildfire Programs Advisory Council and Legislature. These will include recommendations for updates to minimize wildfire risk and incorporate wildfire risk maps, including:
Regional Approach to Help Communities Prepare for Wildfire
The recommendations will allow for regional differences and are focused on helping communities reduce wildfire risk in fire-prone areas. The recommendations may include provisions about:
Key to these efforts is getting broad community input and participation from regions around the state. This includes virtual community Information sessions, surveys, and a wildfire stakeholder group.
Recommendations and report for State Wildfire Programs Advisory Council and Legislature are due October 1, 2022.
Weigh In
We want to hear from you. How can we make our communities better prepared and more resilient against wildfire risks?
Your feedback will help inform recommendations to the State Wildfire Programs Advisory Council and Oregon Legislature on how we can address wildfire risks in state and local land use planning programs.
Take the Survey
About Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development
Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) is the state agency charged with overseeing Oregon's statewide planning program.
Its mission is to help communities and people plan for, protect and improve the built and natural systems that provide a high quality of life. In partnership with people and local governments, we foster sustainable and vibrant communities and protect our natural resources legacy.
Contact
Susan Millhauser
Natural Hazards Planner - Wildfire
[email protected]
971-718-1584
Related Resources
Equal Opportunity and Accessibility
Oregon is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids, alternate formats, and language services are available upon request at no cost.
To request an aid, alternate format, or language/translation, please contact Oregon's E-Government Service Desk.
If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please contact Oregon's E-Government Service Desk.