Many of you may have received a notification from the Oregon Department of Forestry in regards to Oregon Senate Bill 762. This bill is to help Oregon modernize and improve wildfire preparedness through three key strategies: creating fire-adapted communities, developing safe and effective response, and increasing the resiliency of Oregon’s landscapes. This bill has been in the works for years and is a result of the destructive wildfire seasons that are becoming all too common within the last decade.
On your notice, you’ll see a risk class for your property. Many in Central Oregon are under the moderate, high and extreme categories. You will also see a designation of your property is in the wilddland-urban interface. Many properties in Tumalo and areas surrounding the core of our cities in Central Oregon are in the wildland-urban interface.
THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT
You need to look into your risk class and appeal, if you feel like it’s incorrect, within 60 days of receiving your notice!
What do I need to do?
- Check what risk class your property is in and if you’re in the wildland-urban interface.
- Head to Department of Forestry Map to see what the surrounding area looks like. There are “islands” of land with a higher risk than the surrounding areas. (https://tools.oregonexplorer.info/oe_htmlviewer/index.html?viewer=wildfire)
- If you want to appeal head to this page: (https://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/appeals.aspx)
For more information about Oregon Senate Bill 762 head to this website. (https://www.oregon.gov/odf/Pages/sb762.aspx)