In response to the increased incidence of wildfires and the extensive damage that they have caused in recent years, the Oregon Legislature in 2021 tasked the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and Oregon State University (OSU) with developing a map that carves out designations of property as a low, moderate, or high hazard level based on weather, climate, topography and vegetation. This map has since become highly controversial, with many property owners submitting appeals to challenge their property’s designation.

Any property owner in Oregon may file an appeal of their property’s designation in a particular wildfire hazard zone (low, moderate or high), and/or the property’s designation in the wildland-urban interface. The appeals must be submitted or postmarked by March 10, 2025.

If you are a property owner, you do not need an attorney to file your appeal, however a property owner who is an agency, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, government body, or unincorporated association must be represented by an attorney.

To learn more about the Wildfire Map Controversy, please visit the Oregon Property Owners Association website.