Central Oregon homeowners facing skyrocketing insurance rates due to wildfire risks: report
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Wildfire preparation is getting tougher and pricier in central Oregon, as Farmers Insurance recently canceled policies for 200 homeowners near Sisters, forcing homeowners to pay sky-high premiums, according to a report.
Karen Whisler, one of the homeowners with a canceled policy, told Central Oregon Daily her insurance policy went from $5,000 per year with a $500 deductible to $10,000 per year with a $10,000 deductible.
Oregon Health Authority sees $117M in abrupt federal funding cuts
'It's terrifying because if you can't find insurance or you can't afford your insurance, you know your mortgage company requires you to have insurance, so I started to think I could lose my house,' she said.
Insurers blame rising fire risks for pushing the costs even higher, with 2024 marking the state's .
The past season, which after an excessive heat wave and several lightning storms, sparked thousands of fires and burned more than 1.9 million acres across the state.
There were 1,003 fires on ODF-protected lands in 2024, as of Oct. 28. These fires led to 314,181 acres — or 491 square miles — of scorched land. The longest-running wildfire of the season was the , which burned for more than two months.
With recent record warm temps, how are Oregon spring snowpack levels?
'Extreme infernos' also hit Gilliam, Grant, Jefferson, Umatilla, Wasco, and Wheeler counties the hardest, destroying 42 homes and 132 other structures, injuring 26 civilians and fire responders, and .
Meanwhile, four fires in the eastern half of the state even grew into 'megafires' in July. A megafire, according to the , is a wildfire that reaches a size of at least 100,000 acres. The Durkee, Cow Valley, Falls, and Lone Rock fires each reached this status.
In late July, KOIN 6 News reported that the total number of acres burned at that point in the 2024 wildfire season surpassed the size of Rhode Island, with the Durkee Fire in Baker County at one point being the largest active wildfire in the U.S.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Elevated fire danger in Oregon amid thunderstorm and wind threat
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Parts of Oregon will see elevated wildfire danger today as thunderstorms and gusty winds develop this afternoon. The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning through 8 p.m. Tuesday for wind and low relative humidity in Washington's Kittitas Valley and Lower Columbia Basin of Washington. The Columbia River Gorge will see winds gusting up to 30 mph with relative humidity as low as 10 percent in the region. Due to the abundant dry fuels, any fires that start may spread rapidly. Scattered thunderstorms are also expected to develop throughout the hotter afternoon hours, both Tuesday and Wednesday, around central and southeastern Oregon. While some storms may bring heavy downpours, dry lightning will bring the risk of new wildfire starts. Temperatures remain hot through Wednesday with high temps in the 80s and 90s, further drying out burn fuels in the region. A cooler pattern arrives later in the week. However, little to no rainfall is likely across much of the state for at least the next week. Folks are urged to use extreme caution and avoid outdoor burning, especially during Red Flag Warnings and other fire alerts. Stay with the KOIN 6 Weather Team for your forecast and fire weather updates throughout fire season. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Portland temps in the 90s on Monday, cooler on the Oregon Coast
PORTLAND, Ore. () — A daily high temperature record was set in Portland on Sunday as a KOIN 6 Weather Alert remains in place through Monday. Expect wall-to-wall sunshine from the coast to the Cascades, with a few passing high clouds. LIST: Portland interactive fountains open for summer The central Oregon coast could see some fog and low clouds early, but even those will burn off in the morning. Highs will stay cool along the coastline in the mid to upper 60s. It'll be a great place to find some relief from the heat building around the valley this afternoon. Temperature in the Portland Metro Area should top out in the lower-to-mid 90s. The record for June 8 is 95 degrees, set back in 1955. A cooling trend is on tap later in the week when temperatures will cool back into the 70s by Wednesday and remain there through Friday. There is no significant rainfall in sight for the next 7 days, so the dry weather will continue. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
MultCo health officials warn first heat advisory could be extra dangerous. Here's why
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Multnomah County is preparing for the hottest weekend of the year so far, warning residents that the first weekend of summer-like heat is always a concern. The from Sunday through Monday with temperatures reaching 92 to 96 degrees throughout the Willamette Valley, SW Washington, the Columbia River Gorge, and the Hood River Valley. Brendon Haggerty with the Multnomah County Health Department said the county pays close attention to the first hot weekend of the year. He said it poses a threat to everyone, not just vulnerable populations, because our bodies are not acclimated to the heat yet. Oregon lawmakers hold hearing on Medicaid cuts under Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' 'We're not used to the heat, and that makes us more prone to getting ill from the heat, having heat exhaustion or heat stroke,' he said. 'It's also a time when people might seek relief in our rivers. But this early in the season, they're still running really fast and really cold. So it can be a dangerous time to go swimming.' He said people are also vulnerable when there is a big temperature swing, like this weekend. 'All of us have some sensitivity to it because none of our bodies have acclimated to this heat yet,' Haggerty said. 'So the important thing is to realize is that each of us needs to take some protective action, to make sure we don't get sick from the heat.' Haggerty said we are coming off the hottest summer in North America ever, and we need to prepare for even more hot summers. He said the best way to do that is to make a plan. 'Whether that's, you know, going to a neighbor's who has air conditioning or going out to a movie, checking on a loved one,' he said. 'Those are all really important things. Making sure that your home is a safe place to be in the heat is a good idea. And if if you can't make that happen, make a different plan for where to be when it's hot.' The county is taking the first dose of summer heat as a chance to prepare. Officials hopped on a situational awareness call today— setting the table for the rest of the summer. 'Immediate threat to public safety': Longview cracks down on unsanctioned camping 'The county convenes all of the departments who are part of a response to that,' Haggerty said. 'We have a discussion with the weather service. Make sure we're all clear about what's in the forecast. And then go through a decision making process about what resources will be needed for the heat event.' Haggerty said they are not planning on opening cooling centers this weekend, but today's call will help them prepare for extreme heat events later in the year. You can visit the county website to see what resources are currently available. The National Weather Service also recommends staying hydrated, not leaving animals in vehicles, taking frequent breaks from the heat, checking on vulnerable community members, and avoiding cold shock by wearing life jackets in local rivers. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.