Oregon Statewide Wildfire Hazard Map
Over the last decade, fire seasons have become longer and more challenging. At the same time, Oregon’s population continues to grow and increasing numbers of people are living in housing that is in or near forests, rangelands and other vegetation, called the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI).
In response to these factors as well as the devastating 2020 Labor Day fires, the Oregon legislature passed a series of bipartisan bills in 2021 and 2023 to help people living in Oregon improve their wildfire preparedness.
As a result, wildfire scientists at Oregon State University (OSU) have been developing a map that characterizes wildfire hazard for each property across the state. The wildfire hazard map is being developed using the best available science and data and incorporates the expertise of more than 50 fire and fuels professionals from around the state.
The ultimate goal of the map is to help people across Oregon better prepare for future wildfires.
How will the map be used?
The map WILL be used to:
- Improve the safety and well-being of communities across Oregon.
- Help Oregonians understand the wildfire hazard in their community.
- Help public agencies objectively prioritize wildfire hazard reduction efforts.
- Implement a statewide strategy to improve wildfire resilience.
- Inform where statewide defensible space codes may apply in high-hazard areas in the WUI.
The map will NOT be used to:
- Adjust insurance rates (by insurers).
- Make landowners modify the components of the building they live or work in unless significant updates are planned for structures within high hazard areas in the WUI.
Once completed later this year, the statewide wildfire hazard map will allow individuals, state agencies, Tribes, and organizations to make informed choices and improve efforts to mitigate future damage to Oregon communities.
Curious about the science behind the map or have more questions? See the FAQ and Understand the Map pages for more details.
What's Happening Now
On July 18, 2024, drafts of new statewide wildfire hazard and wildland-urban interface (WUI) maps developed by Oregon State University scientists were released. The maps can be viewed online on the Oregon Explorer and the Oregon Department of Forestry accepted public comment on the draft maps through Aug. 18.
In October 2024, OSU researchers completed final adjustments to the map. These updates, based on the best available scientific methods and direction from the legislation, are in direct response to feedback received on the draft map from county planners, county commissioners and public comment.
By the end of 2024, the final maps will be posted on Oregon Explorer and the Oregon Department of Forestry will mail notifications to property owners whose land is within the WUI AND designated as high hazard.
OSU researchers have engaged in a multi-year effort with partner agencies (Oregon Department of Forestry, Oregon State Fire Marshal, Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services), fire modeling experts, local subject matter experts, advisory committees, and stakeholders to develop the wildfire hazard and WUI maps. This collaboration has resulted in important changes to the map, including:
- The new maps categorize properties according to three hazard classes – low, moderate or high – rather than five risk classes.
- In response to public feedback to the first map, OSU scientists adjusted the way hazard is calculated in hay and pasturelands, which often won’t burn because they’re either irrigated or grazed. And if they do burn, the scientists point out, it’s usually later in fire season and only under severe weather conditions. The result of the changes is a reduced hazard level for about 1.7 million acres.
- Also in response to public feedback, scientists modified hazard calculations on irrigated croplands to account for irrigation reducing the likelihood and intensity of wildfires in these areas. All croplands identified as having been irrigated in at least one of the last five years were placed in the low hazard category in the current draft map, affecting about 2.7 million acres. The state Board of Forestry voted on September 4 to finalize the rule on irrigated agriculture.
- Finally, OSU researchers utilized scientific methods to reduce neighbor-to-neighbor variations in hazard classes in response to public comment. These adjustments will be reflected in the final maps released later this year.
Who's Involved and How?
The development and implementation of Oregon’s statewide wildfire hazard map is a collaborative multi-agency effort. Learn more about each agency’s role in map development or use, and how they will use it in the future below:
Oregon State University
Oregon State University (OSU) is responsible specifically for technical development of the map, utilizing multiple data sets based on the best available wildfire science. OSU will distribute the final map via the online tool Oregon Explorer, and will update the map every five years or as future policy requires.
Oregon Department of Forestry
Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) is responsible for policy development, interagency collaboration and the public engagement process regarding the map, including the homeowner notifications and appeals process.
Oregon State Fire Marshal
The Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is responsible for developing a defensible space code applied to properties in the high hazard class within the wildland-urban interface (WUI) across the state. Only buildings located inside the WUI and on a high hazard property will potentially be subject to the defensible space codes. Defensible space helps protect lives, reduces risk to structures in the event of a wildfire, and creates more resilient homes, people, and communities.
Department of Consumer and Business Services
Within the Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS), two divisions are doing work related to statewide wildfire risk: the Building Codes Division (BCD) and the Division of Financial Regulation (DFR). BCD is responsible for adopting fire hardening building code standards for new development and significant home updates in high wildfire hazard areas in the wildland-urban interface (WUI). DFR is the state insurance regulator and offers assistance to consumers regarding wildfire coverage by insurance policies.
How Can You Get Involved?
Landowners and communities across Oregon play an important role in wildfire preparedness, and many have already taken active steps to help create fire-adapted communities. Visit Wildfire Resources to learn more.