As the threat of wildfire increasingly encroaches upon residential communities across the West, the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners is taking a decisive step toward enhancing local resilience by considering new building standards for future construction. A public hearing has been scheduled for January 14, where commissioners will review a comprehensive set of proposed wildfire mitigation codes specifically tailored for new homes and some accessory structures built in unincorporated areas of the county. This local initiative was prompted by the repeal of the Statewide Wildfire Hazard Map, a development that returned the responsibility of creating fire-resilient building regulations to individual counties. In response, the board directed its staff to formulate a localized approach to reduce wildfire risk. The resulting proposal, which has already received a unanimous recommendation for approval from the Deschutes County Planning Commission, represents a significant move to codify construction practices that can better withstand the ever-present danger of wildland fires.
A Closer Look at the Proposed Standards
The proposed regulations are designed to create a more defensible home by focusing on the most vulnerable components of a structure during a wildfire event, primarily by mandating the use of fire-resistant materials. If adopted, the new codes would require all new residential roofing to be constructed from noncombustible or ignition-resistant materials, such as metal panels or specific types of asphalt shingles, which are less likely to ignite from airborne embers. Similarly, exterior walls would need to meet the same stringent standards. The proposal also addresses critical entry points for heat and embers by mandating that all exterior windows and doors feature tempered, multilayered, or fire-rated glass. To prevent embers from entering attic and crawl spaces, a common cause of home ignition, all vents would be required to have fine, noncombustible metal mesh screens or be of an ember-resistant design. Furthermore, the standards would prohibit ventilation openings on the underside of eaves and soffits and require gutters to be made of noncombustible materials, incorporating features that prevent the accumulation of flammable debris like leaves and pine needles.
The Path to Implementation
The journey toward these proposed regulations was initiated when the Board of County Commissioners tasked staff with creating a localized framework for wildfire safety following the repeal of the state’s wildfire hazard map. The primary objective was to align county building codes with the established guidelines found in Section R327 of the Oregon Residential Specialty Code, ensuring a consistent and effective standard. This draft was then presented to the Deschutes County Planning Commission, which conducted a thorough review and subsequently passed a unanimous recommendation for its approval. That key endorsement advanced the proposal to the Board of Commissioners for a final decision. The process was structured to culminate in a public hearing on January 14, providing a crucial platform for community members to offer their input on the regulations. Residents were invited to attend the hearing either in person or virtually, ensuring broad accessibility for public comment before the commissioners deliberated on the adoption of the new codes.
