Residents across the Portland metro area now have access to a new address-searchable wildfire evacuation mapping system, with Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington counties rolling out the tool this week as fire season approaches.

The maps provide pre-defined evacuation zones and level-based alerts designed to keep traffic moving and reduce the confusion that turned past Oregon fire seasons into chaotic, smoke-filled evacuations. The system is intended to give both residents and first responders a shared, real-time tool for understanding evacuation zones and recommended routes during wildfire threats.

What the New System Offers

The mapping platform allows residents to enter their home address and immediately see which evacuation zone they are in, what level of alert is currently in effect, and recommended evacuation routes. This is a significant improvement over the ad-hoc notifications that have historically characterized Oregon's wildfire evacuations.

Clackamas County's Disaster Management office says the public-facing maps are accessible on county webpages as part of its ClackGo preparedness campaign, following a recent series of community evacuation exercises. Officials note the rollout is the latest step in a multi-year effort to fine-tune evacuation zones and expand public outreach ahead of what could be a severe fire season.

Oregon's Three-Level Evacuation System

The new maps are built around Oregon's standardized three-level evacuation notification system:

  • Level 1 — Ready: Be aware. A wildfire threat exists in the general area. Prepare people, pets, and property. Review your evacuation plan.
  • Level 2 — Set: Be prepared to leave. Gather your go-bag, secure livestock, and be ready to leave immediately if conditions worsen.
  • Level 3 — Go: Leave now. Do not wait for additional instructions. Roads may close at any time.

Understanding the system before a fire starts is crucial — during an active evacuation, internet and cell service can be unreliable. Officials recommend downloading or printing zone information in advance.

Why It Matters for the Portland Metro

While central Portland itself is at lower direct wildfire risk, significant portions of the metro area's urban-wildland interface — including the West Hills, Tualatin Mountains, Columbia River Gorge communities, and rural areas in Washington and Clackamas counties — face real wildfire exposure.

The Columbia River Gorge fire of 2017 demonstrated how quickly a fire can threaten populated areas and create extreme traffic congestion on I-84 and other corridors. Planners say the new routing-integrated maps are designed to prevent a repeat of those scenes.

Residents are encouraged to visit their county's emergency management website now — before fire season peaks — to look up their zone, register for emergency alerts, and participate in any scheduled community preparedness events.