THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING!

Thank you for attending one of the 20 town halls on defensible space held across Oregon and virtually. These valuable opportunities to meet will help shape what the future of defensible space looks like in Oregon. About 2,000 people attended to share input, information, and perspectives we value. 

Through Senate Bill 762, our office was tasked with developing defensible space standards using a transparent and open process.

Our goal is to create defensible space standards that better protect against wildfire, are inclusive, and reflect all Oregonians. Below is a summary and themes we heard across the state, as well as the next steps in the process and resources for communities to get started this winter and early next spring on defensible space projects.  

Overall, there was a positive response to defensible space as a practice. Most Oregonians are familiar with wildfire and understand the importance of having proper defensible space and protecting their properties for fire season. 

We received helpful comments about area-specific ways to accomplish defensible space work and how to create a more wildfire-resilient Oregon. Property owners asked about getting help from bucket trucks and arborists to limb tree branches near their homes, and community leaders requested funding to rent chipper machines to remove debris and vegetation from citizens’ yards and community spaces. 

We were asked how the standards will overlap with other fire-adaption programs, such as Firewise USA. When adopted, the defensible space standards will be the minimum requirement for defensible space around Oregon properties. Many other programs, such as Firewise USA, exist to give property owners standard guidance on creating fire-adapted landscapes. Most of these programs recommend actions beyond the proposed standards.  

RESOURCES

Click the links below to access the desired resource

Defensible Space Webpage

Grant Opportunities

OSFM Grants - Email Sign-Up

How Defensible Space Works

OSFM Defensible Space FAQs

OSU Fire-Resistant Plant Guide

OSFM Field Staffing Contacts

Defensible Space PowerPoint

Virtual Town Hall Recording

QUICK POLL

HOW YOUR FEEDBACK IS HELPING

Program Development

• Developing an easy-to-use assessment tool property owners can use to perform an at-home self-assessment of their properties to identify defensible space work that can be done now and in the future. 
• Developing consultative services with the OSFM deputy state fire marshals. Starting January 1, 2023, homeowners will be able to request a visit from a deputy for a guided assessment of their property's defensible space.

Grant Funding

• Helped the OSFM identify what types of defensible space projects to fund and organize. Examples include: 
• Funding a community’s purchase of a woodchipper and/or tub grinder to be used at community events where citizens drop off yard debris and vegetation removed from their properties 
• Funding for a community to pay for curbside services for the disposal of yard debris multiple times throughout the year 
• Paying for a landscaper, arborist, or other forestry contractors to treat and maintain vacant or occupied municipal properties near private residences  
• Paying for forestry service providers to complete defensible space work on community members’ properties. 

Communication

• Discussions with the public reinforced our efforts to communicate with our partner agencies to create the best product for Oregonians. 

Education & Outreach

• Defensible space is not a one-size-fits-all for every community or homeowner in Oregon. Your feedback is helping us to better tailor education and outreach efforts so all Oregonians can be more protected from wildfire. 



Best Management Practices

• Uncomplicate the process of meeting the minimum defensible space standards and finding ways to make defensible space work for all Oregonians. 

NEXT STEPS IN THE PROCESS

Because of the revised timeline for aspects of Senate Bill 762 and the Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) wildfire risk map, adoption of defensible space standards is postponed until the final version of the wildfire risk map is released.  

Between now and the release of the new map, the OSFM will educate Oregonians about defensible space best practices and wildfire preparedness. The OSFM is developing tools and services for property owners looking to create defensible space.  

If you have questions about defensible space, please email [email protected].