Which states have the highest wildfires risk?

Arizona currently ranks at the top of this list (Very High). Rankings are statewide averages — a county can sit well above or below that score.

Does homeowners insurance cover wildfires?

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.

How should I use this ranking?

Find your state, open the state × hazard page, then verify the address on the official maps linked there. This page is a comparison tool, not a determination.

Wildfires Risk by US State — Maps, Data & Home Preparedness

Wildfires spread quickly through dry vegetation and increasingly threaten homes in the wildland-urban interface.

How to prepare your home

Create defensible space: clear flammable vegetation at least 30 feet around your home.
Use fire-resistant roofing and ember-resistant vents.
Keep gutters, roofs and decks free of leaves and debris.
Plan multiple evacuation routes and prepare a go-bag.
Follow local burn bans and red flag warnings.

Official sources

All states ranked by wildfires risk

Highest exposure first. Click a state for the full wildfires briefing and source links.

Arizona Arizona's wildfire risk is a 5 out of 5 statewide, and if you own a home near the Mogollon Rim, the Santa… Very High California California's wildfire risk is rated 5 out of 5, and if you live in the foothills or near chaparral, your… Very High Colorado Colorado has the highest wildfire risk rating in the country, and it’s not just mountain towns — the… Very High Idaho If you own a home in Idaho, wildfire is the risk you can't ignore — the state gets a 5 out of 5 from us.… Very High Montana Montana faces a very high wildfire risk, rated level 5 out of 5, driven by extensive forests, dry summers,… Very High Nevada Nevada is rated 5 of 5 for wildfire risk. The state's dry climate, expansive wildlands, and growing… Very High New Mexico New Mexico is rated 5 out of 5 for wildfire risk, the highest level, with spring and early summer fire… Very High Oregon Oregon is rated level 5 of 5 for wildfire risk, with the greatest danger in dry eastern and southern regions… Very High Utah Utah is rated 5 out of 5 for wildfire risk, with dry fuels, drought, heat, wind, and lightning driving fires… Very High Wyoming If you own a home in Wyoming, wildfire risk is something you need to take seriously. Here's what that means… Very High Alaska Alaska's wildfire risk is rated 4 out of 5, and the places that burn are often the places where people are… High Texas Texas has a level 4 out of 5 wildfire risk rating, with the greatest danger in the western, panhandle, and… High Washington Washington faces a level 4 of 5 wildfire risk. Most of the state east of the Cascade crest is dry… High Florida Florida isn't the first state people picture for wildfire, but the Panhandle, Big Bend, and north-central… Moderate Hawaii If you're buying a home in Hawaii, don't assume wildfire is only a Big Island problem. The state gets a level… Moderate North Carolina North Carolina has a moderate wildfire risk (level 3 of 5), with most fires occurring in spring and fall. The… Moderate Oklahoma Wildfire is a real and recurring hazard in Oklahoma, driven by cured grass, strong winds and low humidity.… Moderate South Dakota South Dakota's wildfire risk is concentrated in the Black Hills and across the state's grasslands, where dry,… Moderate Alabama Alabama's wildfire risk is moderate, but if you live near pine woods or in the Appalachian foothills, you… Low Arkansas Wildfire risk in Arkansas is low compared with the Mountain West, but it's not zero—the Ozarks and… Low Georgia Wildfire risk in Georgia is a 2 out of 5 statewide, lower than the Mountain West but not zero, especially in… Low Kansas In Kansas, wildfire is a real but often overlooked risk, especially where neighborhoods meet grass and brush.… Low Maine Maine is the most forested state in the country, and its wildfire risk is rated 2 out of 5 — lower than the… Low Michigan Michigan has a moderate wildfire risk (level 2 of 5), with most fires occurring in the northern forests and… Low Minnesota Wildfires in Minnesota are a moderate risk, with most activity in the northern forests and some grassland… Low Mississippi Mississippi has a relatively low wildfire risk (level 2 of 5), but wildfires still occur each year,… Low Nebraska Nebraska has a moderate wildfire risk, rated 2 out of 5, with most fires occurring in grasslands, the… Low New Hampshire Wildfire risk in New Hampshire is rated Level 2 out of 5, reflecting a moderate hazard compared to the most… Low North Dakota Wildfires in North Dakota are less frequent than in western states, but they still pose a risk to homes,… Low South Carolina South Carolina has a moderate wildfire risk (Level 2 of 5). Wildfires most often occur in late winter through… Low Tennessee Tennessee's wildfire risk is rated Level 2 out of 5 statewide, but the danger is concentrated in East… Low Virginia Wildfires in Virginia are less frequent and intense than in western states, but the state still experiences… Low West Virginia West Virginia has a moderate wildfire risk, rated level 2 of 5 by the National Risk Index. The state's… Low Connecticut Connecticut wildfires are rare, but a dry spring in Litchfield County can still send a brush fire toward your… Very Low Delaware Wildfire risk in Delaware is low statewide, but dry springs and pine woods in Sussex and Kent counties still… Very Low District of Columbia Wildfire risk for homes in District of Columbia is rated level 1 of 5, which is low. But low doesn't mean… Very Low Illinois Illinois has a low wildfire risk overall, rated level 1 of 5, but southern counties near the Shawnee National… Very Low Indiana Indiana's wildfire risk is low — a level 1 out of 5 — but it's not zero, especially in the forested hills… Very Low Iowa Iowa's wildfire risk is low compared to the West, but dry springs and falls still spark grass and field fires… Very Low Kentucky If you're buying a home in Kentucky, the statewide wildfire risk is low, but the eastern hills and… Very Low Louisiana Wildfire risk in Louisiana is low overall - level 1 out of 5 - but that doesn't mean zero, especially in the… Very Low Maryland Maryland is rated Level 1 out of 5 for wildfire risk, the lowest level, but wildfires still occur in the… Very Low Massachusetts Wildfires in Massachusetts are relatively infrequent compared to western states, but they can occur during… Very Low Missouri Missouri has a relatively low wildfire risk, rated Level 1 out of 5, but wildfires do occur, primarily as… Very Low New Jersey New Jersey has a relatively low wildfire risk (Level 1 out of 5), but wildfires do occur, especially in the… Very Low New York Wildfire risk in New York is low compared with the West, but the state still sees brush, grass and forest… Very Low Ohio Wildfires in Ohio are relatively uncommon compared to western states, but the state still experiences brush… Very Low Pennsylvania Pennsylvania is rated 1 out of 5 for wildfire risk, a low national ranking driven by humid summers, hardwood… Very Low Rhode Island Rhode Island's wildfire risk is rated 1 out of 5 statewide, which is low compared with many Western states.… Very Low Vermont Vermont has a relatively low wildfire risk compared to many other states, but wildfires do occur, most often… Very Low Wisconsin Wisconsin has a relatively low wildfire risk, rated level 1 out of 5, but wildfires can occur in northern… Very Low

Official maps for wildfires

About these rankings

Which states have the highest wildfires risk?: Arizona currently ranks at the top of this list (Very High). Rankings are statewide averages — a county can sit well above or below that score.
Does homeowners insurance cover wildfires?: 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.
How should I use this ranking?: Find your state, open the state × hazard page, then verify the address on the official maps linked there. This page is a comparison tool, not a determination.

Last updated: June 12, 2026. Rankings are state-wide estimates based on public hazard data (FEMA, NOAA, USGS) — always verify your specific address with official sources.

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