Oregon introduces new building codes and vegetation reduction requirements for homeowners in high-risk wildfire areas.
Oregon homeowners who live in certain high-risk wildfire areas defined by the state must now meet new building codes and reduce vegetation around their homes under new “wildfire hazard maps” unveiled Tuesday. The release of the maps follows a record-breaking wildfire season last year and firestorms in 2020 that killed nine people and destroyed thousands of homes.
The state-developed maps — which will not affect homeowners’ insurance rates, under Oregon law — create new rules for those living in the most fire-prone areas that also border wildlands such as forests or grasslands. The provisions impact 6% of the state's roughly 1.9 million tax lots, a reduction from an earlier version developed in 2022 but Wildfire seasons are growing longer and more intense due to climate change, and Oregon isn't the only state grappling with how to manage the risk. Washington state and Colorado have also recently moved to address fire risk in their communities, and aannounced in California last week will require insurance companies to provide policies in high-risk wildfire areas in order to continue doing business in the state. In Oregon, the new building and so-called defensible space codes will affect only about 106,000 tax lots. But experts say that's an important step in identifying and protecting fire-prone areas as the state continues to contend with record-breaking wildfire
Wildfire Oregon Building Codes Climate Change Defensible Space
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Oregon Homeowners Face New Wildfire Safety RulesOregon introduces new wildfire hazard maps requiring homeowners in high-risk areas to adopt stricter building codes and vegetation management practices.
Read more »
Manhattan Congestion Pricing Takes EffectNew York City implements a new congestion pricing plan, charging drivers entering Manhattan's central district.
Read more »
New York City Implements New Laws in 2025This article outlines the new laws taking effect in New York City in 2025, including minimum wage increases, congestion pricing, changes to broker fees, and hotel licensing requirements.
Read more »
Oregon lawmakers to hold special session on emergency wildfire fundingOregon lawmakers are convening for a special session to discuss emergency wildfire funding after a record wildfire season in the state. The blazes scorched a record 1.9 million acres, largely in rural eastern Oregon, and destroyed over 40 homes. According to Gov.
Read more »
Oregon Lawmakers Propose Bill to Block Utility Rate Hikes Amid Wildfire LawsuitsOregon lawmakers plan to introduce a bill that would prevent utilities from raising rates if they have unresolved wildfire lawsuits for three or more years. This proposal targets PacifiCorp, facing multiple lawsuits related to the 2020 wildfires. The bill comes after PacifiCorp received a rate increase approval and faced a federal lawsuit alleging negligence in preventing the Archie Creek Fire.
Read more »
Oregon Lawmakers Propose Bill to Prevent Rate Increases for Utilities with Unresolved Wildfire LawsuitsThree Republican Oregon state representatives announced a bill that would prevent utilities, specifically targeting PacifiCorp, from raising rates if they have unresolved wildfire lawsuits for three or more years.
Read more »