oregon department of forestry

The Oregon Department of Forestry was scheduled to release the next draft of the controversial Wildfire Risk Map in March, but that has been put on hold, thanks to action by state lawmakers.  Under 2021’s Senate Bill 762, ODF was charged with the creation of the map, but the first draft that was released in August proved so unpopular statewide, the Department pumped the breaks for another six mont

A delay in the state’s wildfire risk map may have put a portion of Senate Bill 762 on hold.  But another part of that legislation that looks to mitigate wildfires is enjoying some success.   SB762 set aside $20 million in grants for nonprofits, local governments, conservation districts, private landowners and federal partners to make their landscapes more resistant to wildfire.  Grant Coordinator

A non-native bug is damaging “white oak” trees around Oregon.  State Department of Forestry’s Christine Buhl said the oak lace bug has been here since 2015, but this year, things are looking especially bad.   “It is an aesthetic pest that can make oaks look pretty bad, and so that’s a concern for the typical homeowner, even though it’s not killing the trees. But, the larger concern is always that

Much of the Northwest has seen some precipitation and cooler temperatures over that past week.  And become of that, the Oregon Department of Forestry announced that Fire Season officially comes to an end on Saturday.  ODF’s Jessica Prakke said despite predictions, the 2022 fire season turned out fairly tame.   "Our detection s...

Oregon’s Department of Forestry has revised its timeline for re-releasing its Wildfire Risk Map.  ODF’s Derek Gasperini said a new draft is now due March 1st, following more public engagement and outreach.   “It would be easy for us to just make a few adjustments to the map and issue it again. But, we want to be able to make...

A small, invasive beetle is expected to cause big problems in Oregon forests in the months ahead.  The destructive Emerald Ash Borer was found recently in Forest Grove. “We are bracing for a scenario in which we may lose most of our Ash. It does t...

A map showing the wildfire risk of every property in Oregon is now available for the public.  The Governor’s Wildfire Programs Director Doug Grafe said this effort is a transition for how the state thinks about wildfire, from reactive to proactive. “We’re...

With the start of summer less than three weeks away, what can the state of Oregon expect when it comes to soil moisture? Oregon Department of Forestry Lead Meteorologist Pete Parsons said the wetter than average spring is expected to continue into the summer months ...

Oregon Department of Forestry released a four-episode series of videos, recently, as part of its Federal Forest Restoration Program. ODF officials said the goal is to show how the program is working to conserve and protect the state’s federal forestland. " ...

We’re still in the month of May, but officials in Salem are already sounding the alarm about the 2022 wildfire season. Oregon Governor Kate Brown said during a recent press conference conditions are ripe for another bad fire year. "Already this year, I have declared drought emergencies in 15 counties. This ...