Wildfire risk by county
Fires that spread through grass, brush and forest, often pushed by dry winds. Homes near wild land face the highest risk, and insurers in some states have pulled back.
Highest expected losses
| # | County | Rating | A year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Diego County, CA | $430M | |
| 2 | Riverside County, CA | $347M | |
| 3 | Los Angeles County, CA | $155M | |
| 4 | San Bernardino County, CA | $146M | |
| 5 | Washington County, UT | $68M | |
| 6 | Elko County, NV | $62M | |
| 7 | Orange County, CA | $58M | |
| 8 | El Dorado County, CA | $55M | |
| 9 | Ventura County, CA | $50M | |
| 10 | Jefferson County, CO | $49M | |
| 11 | Maricopa County, AZ | $42M | |
| 12 | Kittitas County, WA | $42M | |
| 13 | El Paso County, CO | $42M | |
| 14 | Kern County, CA | $38M | |
| 15 | Pima County, AZ | $38M |
Big counties lead this list partly because they have more people and buildings at risk.
Highest per resident
| # | County (100,000+ people) | Per person a 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 |
| 7 | Madera County, CA | $147 |
| 8 | Riverside County, CA | $143 |
| 9 | San Diego County, CA | $131 |
| 10 | Yavapai County, AZ | $122 |
Expected yearly loss divided by population. A fairer way to compare places of different size.
Lowest risk among large counties
| # | County (250,000+ people) | Rating | Per person a year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bronx County, NY | under $1 | |
| 2 | New York County, NY | under $1 | |
| 3 | Queens County, NY | under $1 | |
| 4 | Hudson County, NJ | under $1 | |
| 5 | Essex County, NJ | under $1 | |
| 6 | St. Louis City, MO | under $1 | |
| 7 | Suffolk County, MA | under $1 | |
| 8 | Kings County, NY | under $1 | |
| 9 | Philadelphia County, PA | under $1 | |
| 10 | Passaic County, NJ | under $1 |
How ratings are spread
The lists above show only the top counties, so they are all rated high. Across all 3,143 rated counties, most are Low or Very Low:
How to prepare
- Clear dry plants and debris within 5 feet of the house.
- Get home insurance quotes early; availability varies by area.
- Sign up for local evacuation alerts and keep a go-bag ready.
States where it is most often the top hazard
Read more
What a county's natural hazard risk rating actually means
How FEMA's National Risk Index rates every US county, why big counties score high, and how to read the numbers on a county page.
Does homeowners insurance cover flooding?
Most home policies leave out flood damage. What is covered, what isn't, and how flood insurance works.
Common questions
Which US county has the highest wildfire risk?
San Diego County, CA has the highest expected yearly wildfire losses in FEMA's National Risk Index, about $430 million a year. Riverside County, CA is second at $347 million.
How many counties face wildfire risk?
FEMA rates wildfire in 3,143 of 3,144 counties in the 50 states and DC. 4 are rated Very High and 71 Relatively High.
Is wildfire covered by home insurance?
Usually yes for damage to the home, but check deductibles. Some states and insurers use separate wind, hail or hurricane deductibles.
Other hazards
Source: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025). Expected annual loss is FEMA's long-run estimate of yearly damage to buildings, people and farm output, in dollars.