OREGON PERMITTECHNICIANS ASSOCIATION |
Wildfire Safety Resources |
A message from the OPTA Board
As we close the summer of 2024, our hearts are with the communities across Oregon and the Western U.S. affected by the ongoing wildfires. We extend our deepest sympathies to those impacted and our gratitude to the brave firefighters and volunteers working tirelessly to safeguard our homes and environment.
Wildfires have severely impacted Oregon, Idaho, California, New Mexico, and Colorado, with large fires consuming 2.3 million acres to date in 2024. Counties in eastern Oregon, such as Baker, Malheur, Harney, Gilliam, and Morrow, are particularly affected.
Despite these challenging times, we remain committed to supporting and uplifting each other as we navigate this season together.
We encourage all our members to contribute to our collective safety by sharing any resources or links related to wildfire prevention, preparedness, and response that you come across. If you have helpful information that can benefit our community, please send it to us. Together, we can ensure everyone stays informed and prepared.
Current Wildfire Information and Tracking
Oregon Department of Forestry – Current wildfire information
Northwest Interagency Coordination Center – Current Northwest Fire Information
Oregon State Fire Marshal – Current wildfire maps
InciWeb – National Incident Information System
Oregon Live’s Wildfire Tracker
Wildfire Prevention and Preparedness
BCD – Wildfire hazard mitigation
Keep Oregon Green – Prevent wildfires: do your part
Oregon Department of Forestry – Prevent wildfires
Give your home a fighting chance
Prepare for and prevent wildfires
Personal and Community Safety
Oregon Office of Emergency Management – Individual Preparedness
CDC – Wildfires and wildfire smoke and Preparing for wildfires
Oregon OSHA - Heat illness prevention
BOLI – Heat and air quality hazards
Oregon Health Authority – Preventing heat-related illnesses
Federal OSHA – Heat illness prevention
National Integrated Heat Health Information System - Heat.gov
Red Cross – Extreme heat safety
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Protect yourself from the dangers of extreme heat
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) – Extreme heat
Ready.gov – Extreme heat
National Weather Service – Heat safety tips and resources
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – You can help prevent hot car deaths
Wildfire Response and Recovery
Oregon wildfire response and recovery
Oregon Department of Agriculture – Wildfire resources
DFR - Wildfire insurance resources
BCD – Locate your local building department
Taking a few moments to review these resources can make a significant difference in your safety and the safety of those around you. As wildfires continue to impact our state, it is essential to stay informed and prepared. Together, we can navigate these challenges and protect our communities.
Stay safe, stay vigilant, and keep an eye out for each other.
Do you know the difference between Regular Property Assessors and Disaster Response Assessors? |
Regular Property Assessors These professionals work for the local assessor's office and are responsible for determining property values for tax purposes. Their work includes routine assessments of property value based on factors like location, size, and condition, and they help ensure fair property taxation. | Disaster Response Assessors In the context of natural disasters, these assessors are specially trained to evaluate the extent of damage to structures following an event. Their assessments focus on the immediate impacts of the disaster, including structural integrity, safety hazards, and repair costs. This data is critical for directing emergency response resources and determining eligibility for State or Federal assistance. |
Oregon Division of Financial Regulation warns people to be careful before signing assignment of benefits agreement after natural disaster. July 25, 2024 Salem – With wildfires raging across the state, the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) wants to make sure people are taken care of in the event of a catastrophe and warned of those who may want to take advantage of a vulnerable situation. One of those ways is through an assignment of benefits (AOB) agreement, which is a contract between a homeowner and a third party that transfers the insurance claim rights or benefits in an insurance policy to the third party. This allows the third party, which is typically a contractor, plumber, roofer, or other construction professional, to file the claim, make decisions about home repairs, and collect insurance payments without involving the homeowner. DFR stresses that you are not required to enter an AOB with a third party to have repairs done – you can file a claim directly to your insurance company. An AOB can be a useful tool for getting repairs done, as it allows the repair company to deal directly with an insurance company when negotiating repairs. It also allows the insurer to pay the repair company directly. However, an AOB is a legal contract, so policyholders need to understand the rights they are signing away and make sure the repair company is trustworthy. Here are some reminders:
“It is important for homeowners to know their rights and understand what they are agreeing to with an assignment of benefits,” said Andrew R. Stolfi, Oregon insurance commissioner and director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services. “Importantly, you are signing away your right to control many decisions related to the repair of your home. While this arrangement can be a good thing with the right contractor, it can result in a headache if it ends up in the wrong hands.” DFR reminds homeowners to be diligent and alert for fraud. Home repair fraud is common after a natural disaster, and some contractors may prey on victims in hopes of making a quick buck. It is usually a good idea to do business with local businesses or trusted companies. Check references and talk to your friends and family. You should also always confirm that a contractor is licensed in the state of Oregon. Your insurance company may also have recommendations, and you should get more than one bid for your repairs. “It is also essential that homeowners protect their investment by only working with contractors that have been licensed with the Construction Contractors Board (CCB),” said Chris Huntington, Oregon CCB administrator. “Homeowners should always visit the CCB website to verify the license and review the history of the contractor they are considering for the job. The CCB provides a variety of resources to help homeowners avoid scams and successfully complete their repair work after any disaster.” Anyone who has questions or feels they may have been taken advantage of can always contact one of our consumer advocates at 888-877-4894 (toll-free) or through email at dfr.insurancehelp@dcbs.oregon.gov. For more information about AOB agreements, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners offers additional resources and information. DFR also has resources on understanding homeowners insurance and other insurance tips, including a brochure designed to help homeowners avoid disaster scams. |
The ICC Update on Western U.S. Wildfires
Click here for link to full article
Points OPTA would like to highlight:
Jurisdictions may request assistance here through the Disaster Response Alliance (DRA), a national database of skilled, trained and certified building safety professionals.
If you need assistance, please reach out to ICC through your regional Government Relations representative or directly to Karl Fippinger, the Code Council’s Vice President of Fire and Disaster Mitigation.
Acknowledging the severe consequences of wildfires, the Code Council stresses the importance of adhering to the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code® (IWUIC) for buildings sited in areas at-risk of wildfires. This includes using ignition-resistant building materials, implementing measures to mitigate ember penetration, maintaining defensible spaces around properties and ensuring adequate access for fire services.
California is on-track to adopt the IWUIC as the basis for its California Wildland-Urban Interface Code by the end of this year. The proposal will be heard by the full California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) in December for final approval.
For more information on wildfire mitigation, we invite you to visit the ICC Wildfire Information and Resources page.