Wildland Urban Interface areas likely to get increased scrutiny
Oregon State University and the Oregon Department of Forestry have created an interactive Fire Map for the State of Oregon. The map allows users to find fire hazard levels for specific properties. (Oregon State Forestry)
Much of the tri-county area is at high hazard risk for wildfires. New construction and large remodels will be monitored by Oregon Building Codes in Wheeler and Sherman County, and by Boardman Building Codes Division for Gilliam County. (Oregon State Forestry)
A significant portion of Fossil's eastern properties are at high hazard risk and within the wildland urban interface. Only structures located inside the WUI and on a high hazard property will potentially be subject to the defensible space codes. (Oregon State Forestry)
Much of Sherman County is at high hazard levels, as are parts of towns within the wildland urban interface in Wasco, Moro, and Grass Valley. (Oregon State Forestry)
The City of Condon has several areas that are considered to be of high hazard within the wildland urban interface. These areas will likely receive attention and will receive guidance on defensible space measures. (Oregon State Forestry)
The 2024 Lone Rock Fire nearly burned into the town of Spray, and a Level 3 evacuation order was issued as the fire quickly moved towards town. The Fire Map shows that no structures within the wildland urban interface are at high hazard levels, but properties just outside of town are at high hazard designation. (Oregon State Forestry)
The Oregon Fire Map is a collective effort between Oregon State University, which provided mapping and technical assistance; The Oregon State Fire Marshal's Office, which is responsible for developing defensible space codes within the WUI; The Department of Consumer and Business Services, which assesses risks and code standards; and the Division for Financial Regulation, which offers assistance to consumers regarding wildfire coverage. (Oregon State Forestry)
The "tentatively final" Oregon Wildfire Hazard map was updated by the Oregon Department of Forestry on January 7 and shows that much of the tri-county area is at high hazard designation for wildfires.
The map categorizes all land in Oregon under low, medium, or high wildfire hazard levels and identifies wildland urban interface (WUI) areas that are under increased risk of fire.
The map shows that much of Gilliam, Wheeler, and Sherman counties are at high hazard designation and that several cities have hazards within the wildland urban interface – as described under the Statewide Wildfire Hazard Classification.
The online map allows users to zoom in on specific properties, and to get information about the level of hazard.
Properties that are both in high hazard zones and within the WUI will be subject to wildfire-specific building codes for new structures or major renovations. These properties will likely also get scrutiny over vegetation and will have defensible space codes as recommended by the Oregon State Fire Marshal's Office and Oregon Building Codes Division.
Cori Mikkalo, owner of Fair Winds Consulting LLC helped several counties and municipalities in the area prepare for the state's fire hazard designations and submissions to the Oregon Emergency Management Office.
Mikkalo says that the State of Oregon's Building Codes Division focuses on new construction and large renovations when assessing wildfire hazards. Building codes are not retroactive and existing structures will not have the requirements of new builds.
"If a homeowner currently has a wood shake roof, they will not need to replace it with a wildfire-resistant material unless they are redoing the roof," Mikkalo explains. "There are also a limited number of defensible space (landscaping) regulations that all buildings within a high hazard zone and in the WUI will have to follow."
While none of these rules are currently in effect, these recommendations will likely impact high-hazard property requirements in towns and the countryside.
The State Forestry has mailed a packet with information for those who live in high-hazard zones. The packet includes their designation, information on the regulations, and an appeals process.
Senate Bill 762 (2021), updated by Senate Bill 80 (2023), directed Oregon State University to create the wildfire hazard and WUI map as part of a statewide approach to wildfire mitigation. The map is designed to educate residents about their property's wildfire exposure and help prioritize fire mitigation resources in areas with the highest risk. The map also helps to identify where new building and landscaping codes will apply.
The State has said that only properties that are designated as both high hazard and in the WUI will be subject to the regulations. Properties outside of these areas will not be affected.
Gilliam County, Sherman County, and Wheeler County have several areas identified as being in high hazard zones within the WUI. These areas will likely be subject to fire-hardening and defensible space regulations once the new rules are implemented.
Property owners are encouraged to check their designation and prepare for potential requirements.
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