Mapping of High and Extreme Risk land is not accurate but can require new fire standards for your property
The Wildfire Risk Map was originally released in June of 2022 and after many complaints was withdrawn on August 4, 2022. The map is required to show five risk categories: no risk; low risk; moderated risk; high risk; and extreme risk. Public and stakeholder engagement, outreach and education are scheduled from October 2022 to February […]
Mandatory Landscape/Vegetation Modification Requirements
Defensible Space requirements are added by SB 762. To reduce the spread of fire, vegetation must be modified to at least meet the standards of the International Wildland- Urban Interface Code. In Extreme Risk Areas a 100-foot radius from structures must have the vegetation modified. In the High Risk Areas, a 50-foot radius from structures […]
Higher Taxes for State Forestry fire protection can be a lien on property
Changes in SB 762 repealed part of the current rules on State Forestry Fire Protection costs to property owners. The law allowed “the forester may consider and include the special or additional cost of fire protection for property owners within a forestland-urban interface classification, including the special or unique costs of assessment processing and administration.” […]
Risk Categories won’t change even if you remove all the vegetation and harden your dwelling
The primary piece of SB 762 is the adoption of the Wildfire Risk Map that has be delayed until 2023. The Risk Map places a designation on each property that is one of five classes. These classes are 1) no risk, 2) low risk, 3) moderate risk, 4) high risk, and 5) extreme risk. In […]
Prescribed Burns are encouraged with no Liability Insurance
SB 762 in Sections 25-27 provides that the Oregon Department of Forestry shall develop rules so that a person may conduct a prescribed burn that crosses property lines if the person secures permission of all property owners that the fire is planned to burn. The purpose of the burn is to accomplish any of the […]
Higher Electric Bills to pay for utility company maintenance of facilities
Utility companies can be either private companies such as Pacific Power or can be a consumer owned utility. Both of these types of utilities are covered in SB 762 to require that a plan be submitted and approved by the Public Utility Commission in order to assure that the physical utilities increase their resistence to […]
Future Land Use Regulations from DLCD proposed
Land Use is a Section of the new legislation that requires the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) to identify updates to the Statewide land use planning program and local comprehensive plans and zoning codes to incorporate wildfire risk maps and minimize wildfire risk. While no specifics are given in the bill, the potential […]
Government Inspections of Your Property for vegetation compliance
The State Fire Marshal’s Office is the responsible agency for administration of Defensible Space. However, local jurisdictions may be authorized to administer the code requirements. These agencies must periodically report compliance at the tax lot level to the State Fire Marshal. The time period for such a report is not set forth in the new […]
Increased Housing Costs from new building codes for new construction and remodels of existing buildings
SB 762 requires structure hardening in areas shown as high or extreme fire risk and in an area shown as Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) which means that new building codes will be adopted to require standards for materials and construction features to make buildings more resistant to fire. The Oregon Residential Specialty Code Section R327 is […]