January 26,2023 3:30 a.m.

With big changes proposed, the Oregon Department of Forestry will hold off on the release of the next wildfire risk map.

An ODF release said the Oregon Legislature will be considering a number of recommendations for changes related to the map during the current session, some of which would substantively change the map itself. Following conversations last week with the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire Programs Advisory Council, the decision to postpone the maps release, originally planned for March of this year, was delayed.

Oregon State Forester and ODF Director Cal Mukumoto said, “As we’ve been working with Oregon State University on technical adjustments to the map and planning for the community outreach and engagement, we’ve also been keeping a close eye on the policy conversations happening in different venues”. Mukumoto said, “There were some great recommendations that came out of the Wildfire Programs Advisory Council’s first annual report, and opportunities identified by Wildfire Programs Director Doug Grafe related to the map that I hope the Legislature gets the opportunity to explore during this session”.

The release said those recommendations are in addition to several bills proposing a variety of changes ranging from which areas are assigned a risk classification to abolishing the map entirely. Mukumoto said, “We want to avoid expending resources on work that may not align with new direction that may come from the Legislature this session”. He said without knowing what decisions will be made by the Legislature, the department does not yet know how long it will take to implement that direction.

While the Legislature is in session, the department will:

*Continue to work with OSU on exploring technical adjustments in response to feedback received on the initial map

*Follow the progress of bills related to the risk map to plan quickly and appropriately for any rulemaking actions required to implement new or changed legislative direction

*Work with the Wildfire Programs Advisory Council to identify community needs and with partner agencies to leverage opportunities for outreach, education and engagement