Oregon lawmakers reflect on wildfire risk, insurance amid destructive LA fires

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — With multiple massive and deadly wildfires currently raging across the Los Angeles area, the parallels to what Oregon has faced — and may face again — have not been lost on state lawmakers.

The destruction from the LA fires was exacerbated by high winds. Oregon went through someone similar during the 2020 Labor Day wildfires, which destroyed thousands of homes and killed nearly a dozen people.

Since then, Oregon lawmakers have attempted to address how difficult and expensive it is to get wildfire insurance. Under Oregon law, insurance companies have to include fire coverage in home policies. However, the catch is that they can decide not to renew a policy or not insure if there's a wildfire risk.

The concern is now being raised that Oregon could end up like California where insurance companies offer policies in high-risk areas that exclude wildfire coverage. Homeowners could still buy an extra policy from high-risk insurers or a state-backed plan but that often means less coverage and much bigger premiums.

Since Oregon's 2020 wildfires, insurance companies have been not renewing or writing new policies in some parts of the state, especially more remote areas.

An effort is now underway among some Oregon lawmakers to get insurance companies to give homeowners a break if they engage in community-wide efforts to protect their properties, including clearing brush and installing fire-resistant roofs and siding.

Senator Jeff Golden (D-Ashland), told KOIN 6 News he's been working on getting funding for neighborhood-wide preventative programs.

“I’m really concerned that more homes are going to become uninsurable — more lots unbuildable — if we don’t invest seriously and intelligently now into these programs,” Golden said.

The State of Oregon just published new wildfire hazard maps showing properties in certain areas with high wildfire risk. About 6% of homes — mostly in the southwest, central and eastern parts of Oregon — will likely end up with tougher building codes and requirements. Under Oregon law, the maps won't affect homeowners' insurance rates.