Community Wildfire Protection PlannersThe Wildfire Risk Explorer allows planners in Oregon to graphically view spatial information used to assess wildfire risk in their local communities.
Planners can customize the area and types of information they choose to view using these Wildfire Risk Explorer tools:
- A user-friendly Basic Mapping Tool that allows visitors to easily explore and map geographical wildfire information
- An Advanced Mapping Tool with a range of options for manipulating the GIS data layers and making more complex maps
- Ready-Made Maps that do not require visitors to choose mapping options
- A Reporting Tool that allows wildfire protection planners to generate graphs and charts of wildfire risk data
Many types of information are necessary to assess wildfire risk. Statewide, the availability and quality of this information varies considerably.
Also, several factors that affect wildfire risk change through time. For example, wildfire fuels may increase as plants grow or trees die from moisture stress, insects or disease. On the other hand, wildfires and fuels reduction projects usually decrease fuel loadings.
In addition, the number of WUI homes and other structures increases each year.
Filling data gaps and keeping information current are important, ongoing tasks. For this reason, Community Wildfire Protection Plans are “living” documents, to be kept current and continually improved.
The Oregon Wildfire Risk Explorer mapping tools were designed to help Community Wildfire Protection Planners make their plans better!
Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) adopted two guidance tools to help communities prepare their plans.
The first is Preparing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan: A Handbook for Wildland-Urban Interface Communities. This guidebook is targeted specifically at meeting Healthy Forest Restoration Act (HFRA) planning requirements.
Oregonians are also using A Framework for Community Fire Plans, developed at the University of Oregon. This guidebook helps communities develop plans that not only meet HFRA, but also the intention of:
The HFRA requires local county or city governments, local fire department(s) and ODF to all sign off on the final contents of a CWPP. These entities collaborate with local USFS and BLM representatives and other interested parties on matters regarding CWPPs.
The ODF District Forester (DF) designates a staff member to collaborate in CWPP efforts on behalf of the DF. The DF reviews the CWPP for compliance with the HFRA. The DF’s signature on a CWPP, although not required under HFRA, means that ODF agrees to the contents of the CWPP.
If the DF believes that a CWPP meets the intent of the HFRA, but may need additional detail on a specific area, they should sign the CWPP to expedite it through the process, and write an accompanying letter describing the concern. If necessary, the DF may act as a mediator. The ODF National Fire Plan Coordinator is also available to assist throughout the CWPP process.
Collaborative Planning Resources
Wildfire protection planning is a complex process that involves collaboration among a wide range of stakeholders representing many diverse interests and values. Planners may benefit from learning how other communities are dealing with these challenges.
Some resources for learning more about collaborative planning are:
Redlodge Clearinghouse: Natural Resource Collaboration Site
Western Governors' Association Collaborative Planning Strategies
Wallowa Resources
Central Oregon Partnership for Wildfire Risk Reduction
Community Wildfire Protection Planning: A Status Report (2006)
