Oregon Senate Votes to Repeal Wildfire Hazard Map

The Oregon Senate has unanimously passed Senate Bill 83 to repeal the state's controversial wildfire hazard map, created after the 2020 Labor Day wildfires to designate high-risk areas and impose stricter regulations on approximately 100,000 properties. The map faced bipartisan criticism for inaccuracies, negative impact on property values, and disproportionate burdens on rural residents. Senate Bill 83 eliminates the map and related property requirements, shifts fire regulation authority to local governments, and adds representatives from firefighting and insurance industries to the state Wildfire Programs Advisory Council. While some regulations are repealed, key wildfire preparedness programs, including early detection initiatives, will remain. The bill also mandates new reports on smoke monitoring and utility wildfire risk reduction. The legislation now moves to the House for further consideration.