San Diego County, California, has the highest expected yearly wildfire losses in the US, about $430 million a year in FEMA’s National Risk Index. Riverside, Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties follow, and only these four California counties carry FEMA’s top wildfire rating of Very High.
Per resident, smaller foothill and mountain counties stand out. Washington County, Utah (home to St. George), has the highest wildfire loss per resident among counties with at least 100,000 people.
Highest total expected wildfire losses
| Rank | County | Expected wildfire loss per year | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Diego County, CA | $430 million | Very High |
| 2 | Riverside County, CA | $347 million | Very High |
| 3 | Los Angeles County, CA | $155 million | Very High |
| 4 | San Bernardino County, CA | $146 million | Very High |
| 5 | Washington County, UT | $68 million | Relatively High |
| 6 | Elko County, NV | $62 million | Relatively High |
| 7 | Orange County, CA | $58 million | Relatively High |
| 8 | El Dorado County, CA | $55 million | Relatively High |
| 9 | Ventura County, CA | $50 million | Relatively High |
| 10 | Jefferson County, CO | $49 million | Relatively High |
Highest wildfire loss per resident (counties over 100,000 people)
| Rank | County | Per resident per year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington County, UT | $375 |
| 2 | Nevada County, CA | $318 |
| 3 | El Dorado County, CA | $289 |
| 4 | Coconino County, AZ | $197 |
| 5 | Shasta County, CA | $195 |
| 6 | Cochise County, AZ | $155 |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025.
Why Southern California tops the list
Dry chaparral hills sit right next to dense neighbourhoods, and fall Santa Ana winds can push a fire across miles in hours. The January 2025 Los Angeles fires showed how quickly urban neighbourhoods can burn when wind and dry fuel line up.
Los Angeles County has been included in 86 federal declarations for natural events since 1969, more than any other county, and 61 of them were for fires.
Fire risk is spreading beyond the West
Most high wildfire ratings are in the West, but large fires have also hit Hawaii (Maui in 2023), the southern Plains and the Southeast. Fire management declarations, the federal help for fighting fires that threaten homes, made up 68 of the 152 federal declarations in 2026 so far.
How to lower the risk to your home
- Clear the first 5 feet. Keep the area right around the house free of mulch, firewood and plants that burn easily.
- Use ember-resistant vents and fine metal mesh. Most homes catch fire from embers, not from the fire front.
- Keep roofs and gutters clean of leaves and needles.
- Choose a Class A fire-rated roof when you replace one.
- Plan two ways out of your neighbourhood, and sign up for county alerts.
Insurance in fire country
Wildfire damage is normally covered by home insurance, but in parts of California and other western states, insurers have stopped writing new policies or raised prices sharply. Some homeowners rely on state-run fallback plans with limited cover. Get a quote before you buy a home in a high-risk area.
Questions people ask
Is all of California high risk for wildfire? No. Coastal cities, the Central Valley floor and many northern coastal areas score lower. Our California state page ranks every county.
When is wildfire season? In much of the West, from late spring into fall, with Southern California’s worst wind-driven fires often in fall and winter.
Does a fire-safe home cost less to insure? Some insurers and state programs offer discounts for home hardening and community fire safety work. Ask your insurer.
This page shares public data and general safety information and is not advice.