Updates to Wildfirerisk.org Identify Communities with Increased Risk and Provide Resources to Mitigate Wildfire

Bozeman, Mont, May 29, 2024 – The latest climate data and other methodology updates to wildfirerisk.org, a free tool for understanding wildfire risks across the United States, reveal that over 115 million people—more than one-third of the U.S. population—live in counties with high wildfire risk. First established in 2020, wildfirerisk.org has become a vital resource for community planners, researchers, journalists, and policymakers seeking essential data and solutions about wildfire threats to cities, towns, tribal areas, counties, parishes, boroughs, and states. The website is operated by the U.S. Forest Service in partnership with Headwaters Economics and Pyrologix.

The updates to wildfirerisk.org released today mark a significant advancement in the understanding of wildfire vulnerabilities to communities nationwide. And with more than 48 million buildings (about one-third of all structures) in high-risk counties, the new data demonstrate the urgent need to protect thousands of vulnerable communities.

“These updates provide more precise insights into wildfire risks,” said Kelly Pohl, associate director at Headwaters Economics. “The site is easier to navigate and links the type of risk with the most effective strategies for communities. We’ve also curated resources to help communities learn about populations that may face challenges and discover new solutions that can help neighborhoods become wildfire ready.”

Recent climatic trends have increased wildfire risk to Pacific Northwest communities, which are now more accurately reflected in the new model. More than 60% of counties in Washington and Oregon have high wildfire risk, up from 47% in previous models.

The updated search tools at wildfirerisk.org also display how wildfire risk disproportionately impacts certain populations. For example, nearly three out of four people living in tribal areas live in places with high risk, and nearly one in five places with high wildfire risk also have a greater percentage of people over the age of 65. Nearly 20% of places with high wildfire risk also have a large number of mobile homes, putting a significant portion of the nation’s affordable housing stock and the people that live in them at much higher risk.

“We have demonstrated success in reducing wildfire risks through focused investments in specific landscapes,” said U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service Chief Randy Moore. “This update underscores the need for us to continue these efforts through Community Wildfire Defense Grants and our work to increase the pace and scale of hazardous fuels reduction on federal and non-federal lands. The call to work together in reducing risks has never been greater, especially in areas with the most vulnerable populations. Building on our ‘Wildfire Crisis Strategy’ accomplishments has never been more vital.”

Key improvements in this latest update to wildfirerisk.org include:

• The latest vegetation data to better understand available fuel sources.
• Updated weather datasets to reflect current climate conditions more accurately.
• The latest advances in methods for simulation modeling of wildfire hazard.
• Updated and improved building footprint datasets and Census Bureau data sources for representing the locations of buildings and housing units.

The Wildfire Risk to Communities website is available at https://wildfirerisk.org.