Oregon’s wildfire risk map emerges as new climate flashpoint

By GILLIAN FLACCUS
Associated Press

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A new map in Oregon that rated the wildfire risk of every tax lot in the state — labeling nearly 80,000 structures as high-risk — generated so much pushback from angry homeowners that officials abruptly retracted it, saying they had not done enough local outreach before publicizing the ambitious project. The rapid reversal, announced late Thursday, capped weeks of criticism during which the map emerged as a flashpoint for conservatives who call it government overreach and “climate change evangelism.” Prior to the retraction, one information session in the state’s rural southwest corner was canceled because of a threat to presenters.