GRANTS PASS, Ore. – Hundreds of concerned residents filled a town hall hosted by the Josephine County Board of Commissioners on Thursday to discuss the Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) newly released Wildfire Hazard Map.
Earlier this month, many local property owners received notifications from the ODF, indicating that their properties were classified as being in high wildfire hazard zones. This has sparked significant concern among residents, especially regarding the potential impact on home insurance rates and property values.
At the town hall, these financial concerns were front and center. Several community members expressed their frustration, fearing that the new hazard map could make it more difficult or expensive to insure their homes, as well as reduce the overall value of their properties.
State Senator Jeff Golden also held a similar town hall in Medford earlier this month, where the same issues were discussed.
During the Grants Pass meeting, the three Josephine County Commissioners addressed the matter, noting that they may have a conflict of interest in commenting on the map’s accuracy. Despite this, the commissioners made it clear that they shared the community’s concerns and were committed to taking action.
Commissioner Ron Smith, in particular, expressed his frustration with the map and outlined a plan to challenge it. He stated that Josephine County, potentially in collaboration with Jackson County, would push back against the map’s findings. “My goal is to get twenty or thirty thousand people upset enough to take action. I’m looking out here and I’m seeing the answer right here. It’s you guys. You guys are the answer to this problem,” Smith told the crowd.
Smith encouraged the attendees to become involved in the fight by contacting local officials and expressing their dissatisfaction with the map. “I have a list of names and numbers back there. I want you to ring their phones off the hook,” he added.
In addition to raising awareness, the commissioners provided information to residents on how they can file an appeal regarding their property’s classification on the wildfire hazard map. This information was shared both in person at the meeting and online through the county’s website.
Given the strong turnout and ongoing concerns, Smith announced plans to hold another town hall in the near future, though a date for the next meeting has yet to be determined.
Residents are encouraged to stay informed and actively engage in the ongoing discussion surrounding the new wildfire hazard map and its potential impact on the community.