Wildfire prevention work in some high-risk parts of Oregon has slowed after federal funding was frozen by the Trump administration. Why it matters: Oregon is coming off one of its worst wildfire seasons on record,

Oregon lawmakers want to kill a wildfire risk map meant to identify areas of high risk that has become a lightning rod for anger from rural residents.

Nearly four years ago, in the aftermath of the state’s most destructive wildfires in history, the Oregon Legislature passed a bipartisan package of wildfire prevention initiatives, including one that

There’s been a bit of controversy since Oregon officials released the wildfire property risk maps which are intended to protect homes, properties, and lives from future wildfire disasters.

Republican lawmakers want to repeal the statewide wildfire risk assessment map, claiming it has skyrocketed insurance rates and harmed land values.

Wildfires have been a growing problem in Oregon for the last few years and there is an ongoing debate in Salem about how to best address the issue.

The Oregon Department of Forestry is accepting all appeals to the statewide wildfire hazard map up until Mar. 10, under direction from Gov. Tina Kotek.

Oregon Republican legislators are coming out against the state’s wildfire hazard map and seeking its repeal. The map designates wildfire risk statewide. Oregon’s Republican state senators and representatives say the map threatens the property values and livelihoods of rural homeowners.

Governor Tina Kotek directed the Oregon Department of Forestry on Monday to continue to accept all appeals of the Oregon Statewide Wildfire Hazard Map up to the March 10 deadline, but to pause referring the appeals to the Office of Administrative Hearings until after the legislative session concludes.

A group of eastern Oregon counties is pushing back on Oregon’s Wildfire Hazard Map. KBND’s Heather Roberts reports. Play Audio

The federal funding freeze is impacting wildfire mitigation and timber projects in Oregon. This is leaving forestry organizations, loggers, and local communities uncertain about the future of fire prevention efforts.

A La Pine local is planning a peaceful rally this month in Salem. The focus is Oregon's wildfire hazard map. Veteran Bill Minnix is spearheading the effort to repeal senate bill 762. It created a map categorizing land as low to high risk for wildfires.