Residents challenge outdated wildfire hazard mapping accuracy

During a recent government meeting, concerns were raised regarding the accuracy of the wildfire hazard map affecting the Sisters area. A resident, who is a retired US Forest Service employee with extensive experience in forest health monitoring, highlighted inconsistencies in the mapping that have persisted since the initial risk map was released two years ago.

The resident pointed out that the current mapping relies on outdated satellite imagery, which fails to reflect recent developments in the Saddle Stone neighborhood. According to the speaker, while Google Maps provides a more accurate representation of the area, the state’s risk mapping inaccurately categorizes the region as grassland, leading to potentially misleading assessments of wildfire risk.

This discrepancy is particularly concerning as it could impact homeowners through potential ordinances related to defensible space and site hardening for new constructions. The resident emphasized the need for updated and accurate mapping to ensure that risk assessments are reflective of the actual conditions on the ground, urging local authorities to reconsider the data used in these critical evaluations.