OBOF Approves New Wildfire Hazard Map

Last week, Oregon’s Board of Forestry voted on rules regarding the new Wildfire Hazard Map.  The group spent time discussing the implications of the map and what it means for property owners, especially in areas designated as high hazard.

“The only thing that this map would trigger for a landowner is a defensible space requirement. The home hardening requirement is only for a new building permit, if you were to undertake any new construction or remodeling of a home.” 

The Board also asked whether it’ll impact insurance for some homeowners.  Oregon Insurance Commissioner Andrew Stolfi said the map considers climate, topography and vegetation, which are only minor factors for insurers.

“Some other characteristics, which insurance companies care very, very much about: age of the home, age of the roof, the type of roof, how far is that property from a fire station, what are the cost of the materials to rebuild, what’s the square footage of the home?”

The board narrowly approved the rules, including a provision for irrigated farmland.  Learn more about the Wildfire Hazard Map by visiting the Board of Forestry's Website.

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