Residents ask Redmond to adopt Oregon wildfire building code R327 for new homes

Jeff Rione, a Ridge of Eagle Crest resident and chair of the Community Wildfire Protection Committee, told the Redmond Urban Area Planning Commission on Dec. 10 that community members want the city to “formally adopt Oregon residential specialty code R327” to improve wildfire survivability for new homes. Rione said R327 addresses new dwellings and accessory structures with construction materials and requirements based on wildfire-mitigation best practices and that it would not apply retroactively to existing buildings.

Robin Church, representing the Project Wildfire Neighborhood Coalition and identifying herself as secretary of the coalition and emergency-preparedness lead for the Summit West Neighborhood District in Bend, said the code is “shelf ready” and urged Redmond to join regional…