Forest Classification Committee

Wildfire Protection in Polk County

The Oregon Department of Forestry is responsible for protecting public and private forestland from fire, including millions of acres on the "wildland-Urban interface" where houses and other structures lie within the reach of wildfire. The West Oregon Fire Protection District provides that protection in Polk, Lincoln and Benton Counties.

The Polk County portion of the West Oregon Protection District has been a part of the Department of Forestry's protection responsibility for many decades. Forestland Classification determines which lands within the District boundary are protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry. Classified forestlands were assessed for fire protection to support that service.

The purpose of this website is to provide Polk County residents with information about the Forest Classification and Review process, timely notice of the next meeting, access to minutes from previous meetings, and information and links about fire prevention and protection.

An interactive map of the Forestland Classification work is available for viewing. Landowners can zoom to their individual tax lot a number of ways by using the Search Taxlots feature located on the right-hand side of the map. To view the map key: click on the Map Layers tab, then click on Taxlots, and then scroll down to Draft Forest Land Class where a key to the map colors is listed.

View: Polk County WebMap Disclaimer

View: Interactive WebMap