Guides
Practical, sourced guides for Oregon and Washington homeowners. They describe official rules and recommendations as of November 2026. They are not legal, insurance, or building-code advice, and they are not a substitute for checking with your city, county, fire district, or insurer.
Oregon defensible space requirements
The statewide wildfire hazard map and its mandatory defensible-space rules were repealed in 2025. A model code is available for cities and counties to adopt, and OSFM still publishes recommended zones and free assessments.
Washington defensible space and WUI code basics
As of November 2026, Washington has no statewide defensible-space requirement. DNR’s new hazard maps were still in draft, and the limited statewide WUI construction rules in statute take effect when those maps are finished. Local governments may adopt more.
Home-hardening checklist for Pacific Northwest homes
A practical checklist for roofs, 1/8-inch vent mesh, gutters, decks, siding, windows, and the first five feet around the house, drawn from IBHS, NFPA Firewise USA®, and Oregon and Washington agencies.
How to choose and vet a wildfire mitigation contractor
How to look up Oregon CCB and Washington L&I licenses yourself, what to put in a written bid, questions to ask, and what each license-status badge on this directory means.
Grants and cost-share help for defensible space
Programs we could verify on official pages in November 2026, including OSFM assessments, a local Josephine County window, ODF small-forestland grants, and Washington DNR cost-share — plus programs we would not list as open.
You can also search license-verified contractors, read how we verify listings, or browse Oregon and Washington.