Does San Bernardino have its own hazard scores?

No. San Bernardino inherits California’s statewide ratings. Use this page to see which peril matters most locally (Wildfires), then verify the exact address — two streets in San Bernardino County can differ.

What should I check first in San Bernardino?

Start with Wildfires in California, then a ZIP lookup and the FEMA or USGS map that matches that hazard.

Natural Hazard Risk in San Bernardino, CA | HomeRiskMap

What this page is

San Bernardino sits in San Bernardino County, California. This is a local briefing: it names the hazard that usually matters most here (Wildfires), then shows the statewide ratings California homeowners use to decide what official map to open. It is not a flood-zone letter or an insurance quote.

Confirm the neighborhood with a ZIP lookup.
Open Wildfires in California.
Verify the address on the official maps in the sidebar, then read a matching guide.

San Bernardino lives at the foot of the mountains that bear its name, and that geography defines its hazard profile. The San Bernardino National Forest rises directly north of the city, covered in chaparral and pine that burns fiercely when Santa Ana winds funnel through the Cajon Pass. Fire seasons here are long and getting longer, and major fires, including the Old Fire, the Slide Fire and the more recent Line Fire, have repeatedly pushed flames and evacuations toward the city's northern neighborhoods.

What makes San Bernardino unusual is that it faces two headline hazards at once. The San Andreas fault runs right through the northern part of the city, with the fault trace visible in the foothills, making this one of the most seismically exposed urban areas in California alongside its fire risk. A major earthquake here could ignite fires in a city already primed to burn, and damaged roads could hamper evacuation. Homeowners are effectively preparing for both.

Fire-first preparation means 100 feet of defensible space, Class A roofing, boxed eaves and ember-proof vents for any home near the wildland edge. Quake preparation runs in parallel: bolt older homes to their foundations and strap the water heater. Evacuation planning deserves special attention, so know at least two routes out of hillside neighborhoods, because wind-driven fires can close the obvious one. Insurance is the squeeze point: verify both wildfire and earthquake coverage, since standard policies exclude quakes and some carriers are retreating from high-fire zones.

How to read the San Bernardino snapshot

San Bernardino is in San Bernardino County, California. This page does not score individual streets. It tells you which statewide hazards matter most here, then points you to the official map for the address you care about.

The local focus is Wildfires in California. Fire is usually covered, but in high-risk ZIP codes the hard part is keeping a policy at all. Mitigation (defensible space, roof, vents) can matter as much as the premium.

Highest statewide ratings that apply in San Bernardino

Wildfires — Extreme. California's wildfire risk is rated 5 out of 5, and if you live in the foothills or near chaparral, your house is in…
Earthquakes — Extreme. California has more earthquake risk than any other state, and it's not just the Bay Area or LA. If you're buying or…
Drought — Extreme. If you're buying a house in California, drought is not just a summer inconvenience — it can crack your foundation,…

What to do before you buy or renew in San Bernardino

Look up the ZIP on our ZIP tool so you land on this city or the California profile.
Open the Wildfires page and follow the official map links in the sidebar.
Confirm preparedness guidance with California Governor's Office of Emergency Services.

Other California city briefings: Anaheim, Bakersfield, Fresno, Irvine, Long Beach, Los Angeles.

Hazard ratings for California

These are state-level scores used across San Bernardino. Use them as a starting point, then verify your exact address with the official maps linked on each hazard page.

Wildfires California's wildfire risk is rated 5 out of 5, and if you live in the foothills or near chaparral, your house is in the path. The state's… Extreme Earthquakes California has more earthquake risk than any other state, and it's not just the Bay Area or LA. If you're buying or insuring a home here,… Extreme Drought If you're buying a house in California, drought is not just a summer inconvenience — it can crack your foundation, dry up your well, and… Extreme Flooding California's flood risk is higher than most people think, and the state rates at level four out of five. If you're buying or insuring a… Major Extreme Heat If you own a home in California, extreme heat is a bigger deal than most people think, especially in the Central Valley and inland areas.… Major Landslides If you own a home on a slope in California, landslides are a real risk—the state gets a level 4 out of 5 for this hazard. But standard… Major Winter Storms Winter storms in California are mostly about snow in the mountains and rain that turns into floods and mudslides. The statewide risk is… Minor Severe Storms California's severe storm risk is a 2 out of 5 statewide, but that doesn't mean you can ignore it. If you own a home in the Central Valley,… Minor Hurricanes In California, hurricanes are rare, but tropical storm rain and flash flooding still show up in places like San Diego, the Coachella… Minimal Tornadoes Tornadoes in California are rare, but they do happen—mostly as weak, short-lived storms in the Central Valley. Your homeowners insurance… Minimal

What the ratings mean

"MinimalMinorModerateMajorExtreme

Each rating is a statewide starting point, framed for a typical 30-year stay — the length of a standard mortgage. A neighborhood can look different from the state average. Always verify your address with official FEMA, NOAA or USGS maps.

Save this profile as a PDF for your records or insurance file.

Using the San Bernardino profile

Does San Bernardino have its own hazard scores?: No. San Bernardino inherits California’s statewide ratings. Use this page to see which peril matters most locally (Wildfires), then verify the exact address — two streets in San Bernardino County can differ.
What should I check first in San Bernardino?: Start with Wildfires in California, then a ZIP lookup and the FEMA or USGS map that matches that hazard.
Will homeowners insurance cover Wildfires here?: Fire is usually covered, but in high-risk ZIP codes the hard part is keeping a policy at all. Mitigation (defensible space, roof, vents) can matter as much as the premium.

Last updated: October 14, 2026. Ratings are state-wide estimates — always verify your specific address with official sources.

Guides for California homeowners

Wildfire Smoke & Air Quality: How to Protect Your HomeLearn how to protect your home and family from wildfire smoke with practical steps from FEMA, CDC, and EPA. From sealing your…Jun 21, 2026Read guide →

Wildfire Evacuation Prep in 60 Minutes: A Step-by-Step GuideWhen a wildfire threatens, you may have less than an hour to evacuate. Learn how to prepare a go-bag, safeguard your home, and…Jun 21, 2026Read guide →

Wildfire Home Hardening: Roof, Vents, Gutters, and Deck ChecklistLearn how to harden your home against wildfire by focusing on four critical areas: roof, vents, gutters, and deck. This checklist…Jun 21, 2026Read guide →