In 2021, the Oregon Legislature passed Senate Bill 762, a comprehensive wildfire preparedness and resiliency bill to help Oregon be better prepared to meet the increased wildfire threat. This legislation provided funding and guidance to state agencies, including the Oregon State Fire Marshal.
The law codified wildfire prevention, risk reduction, and emergency response programs for the OSFM. We launched two initiatives, a defensible space program, and grant funding opportunities to frame the office's work to change the wildfire paradigm in Oregon.
Click the images below to explore our initiatives and programs.
Preparing Oregonians
Solving the issue of wildfire will take an extensive and collaborative effort from state and local governments. Response and preparedness efforts need to be in concert with Oregonians. There are several things that people can do to improve their home’s resilience to wildfire and help their communities.
Changing how we interact with fire in a safer manner can help even before a fire sparks. The OSFM held several educational webinars to help Oregonians adapt to living with wildfire. We also offer a plethora of wildfire prevention tips and training opportunities to move us all toward the end goal of a safer Oregon for all.
Click the images below to explore our educational opportunities.
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Reports
Oregon Defensible Space Code Development
Under Senate Bill 762, the OSFM is mandated to adopt statewide minimum defensible space standards. The OSFM is using its current code development and adoption process.
The OSFM and stakeholders are following the established code adoption process using the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code model language, using sections 603 and 604 per the Senate Bill 762 mandate. Upon adopting the new Oregon defensible space code, the OSFM will evaluate every three years and follow the same policies and practices in place for the Oregon Fire Code.
The code language is in a final draft for review. For questions about the code language, email osfm.defensiblespace@osfm.oregon.gov.
Town Hall Meetings
In 2022, the OSFM held 20 town hall meetings focused on the Oregon Defensible Space Code and defensible space best practices. Meetings were held in Ashland, Medford, Grants Pass, Roseburg, Eugene, Sunriver, Bend, Sisters, Prineville, Madras, Detroit, Albany, Wilsonville, Hood River, The Dalles, John Day, and Burns.
Roughly 2,000 people attended the meetings. The OSFM received robust feedback and input to help guide the development of the code.
View the video and PowerPoint presentation of a virtual town hall presentation held October 4, 2022.
Town Hall Resources | Town Hall Follow-Up News
Listening and Understanding Tours
The programs the OSFM supports depend on collaboration with our stakeholders and Oregonians. Our office is grounded in developing and maintaining services that reflect and serve Oregon. Our staff achieves this in multiple ways; one is hosting listening and understanding opportunities. These are facilitated discussions to gather feedback from all our partners. To access those reports, click here.
Senate Bill 762 Partners
To rise to the challenge wildfire poses to Oregonians, several state agencies are working in coordination to tackle the issue. The goal of these efforts is to give people the tools and knowledge to be better protected against wildfire.