Once Safe, These U.S. Cities Now Face Unprecedented Wildfire Risks

In the United States, wildfires have become an annual reality in multiple states. Even remote regions are not immune. For residents in low-risk states, the sight of fire-driven ash blanketing cars and homes can be shocking and surreal. For others in wildfire risk states, it's part of a growing seasonal threat.

To help manage this ever-present threat, FEMA has developed a Wildfire Risk Rating system that evaluates the hazard level of specific locations. This data serves a broad purpose: it guides federal and local governments in updating safety regulations, helps businesses build mitigation plans, and informs residents about how to prepare and protect their homes, families, and communities in case of fire.

To determine which cities face the greatest wildfire threat, 24/7 Tempo analyzed data from FEMA's National Risk Index. Cities were ranked based on the average wildfire risk index score across all census tracts within their boundaries, using spatial definitions from the U.S. Census Bureau's TIGER/Line program. Additional data on home values and population figures were sourced from the American Community Survey. Only cities with at least 25,000 residents were included in the analysis.

This post was updated July 5th, 2025, to reflect additional information.

50. Weston, FL

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 92.4/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $10.3 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: -2.5%
Total population: 68,029

49. Palm Bay, FL

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 92.5/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $8.1 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +12.7%
Total population: 121,513

48. Clermont, FL

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 92.6/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $3.7 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +34.3%
Total population: 43,266

47. Redmond, OR

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 92.6/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $3.2 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +20.0%
Total population: 34,191

46. Lakewood Ranch, FL

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 92.6/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $7.3 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: NA
Total population: 34,346

45. Elk River, MN

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 92.7/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $2.6 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +8.4%
Total population: 25,936

44. Castle Rock, CO

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 92.7/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $12.3 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +29.3%
Total population: 74,065

43. Bentonville, AR

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 92.7/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $4.1 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +22.2%
Total population: 54,513

42. Immokalee, FL

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 92.7/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $0.6 million
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +8.0%
Total population: 27,753

41. Winter Garden, FL

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 92.9/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $4.5 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +14.0%
Total population: 46,518

40. Perris, CA

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 93.1/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $5.0 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +5.2%
Total population: 78,881

39. Bluffton, SC

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 93.2/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $4.7 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +71.1%
Total population: 29,375

38. Big Spring, TX

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 93.6/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $0.8 million
Population change, 2017 to 2022: -8.2%
Total population: 25,949

37. Poinciana, FL

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 93.6/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $4.3 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +4.3%
Total population: 69,311

36. Drexel Heights, AZ

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 93.8/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $1.8 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +7.3%
Total population: 30,254

35. Carson City, NV

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 94.0/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $6.1 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +7.4%
Total population: 58,249

34. Hesperia, CA

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 94.0/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $6.6 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +7.2%
Total population: 99,878

33. Apple Valley, CA

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 94.1/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $6.9 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +5.1%
Total population: 75,603

32. Eagle, ID

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 94.3/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $7.5 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +29.2%
Total population: 30,635

31. Buckeye, AZ

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 94.4/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $8.7 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +53.1%
Total population: 95,042

30. San Jacinto, CA

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 94.5/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $3.8 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +15.2%
Total population: 54,077

29. New Smyrna Beach, FL

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 94.6/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $4.6 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +21.3%
Total population: 30,449

28. Weatherford, TX

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 95.0/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $2.2 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +11.6%
Total population: 32,168

27. Cedar City, UT

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 95.0/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $2.1 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +18.5%
Total population: 35,812

26. Prescott Valley, AZ

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 95.1/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $4.8 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +12.0%
Total population: 47,015

25. Oro Valley, AZ

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 95.1/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $7.6 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +9.7%
Total population: 47,053

24. Herriman, UT

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 95.1/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $7.1 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +73.0%
Total population: 55,301

23. Haines City, FL

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 95.2/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $1.4 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +26.7%
Total population: 28,922

22. Yucaipa, CA

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 95.6/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $5.8 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +2.4%
Total population: 54,428

21. Four Corners, FL

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 95.6/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $3.2 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +51.0%
Total population: 56,537

20. Adelanto, CA

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 95.8/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $1.6 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +15.5%
Total population: 37,960

19. West Odessa, TX

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 96.0/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $1.4 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +19.9%
Total population: 30,904

18. Fish Hawk, FL

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 96.2/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $3.0 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +42.3%
Total population: 25,179

17. Lake Elsinore, CA

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 96.3/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $6.8 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +12.5%
Total population: 69,993

16. Marana, AZ

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 96.4/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $6.4 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +25.9%
Total population: 52,542

15. Prescott, AZ

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 96.5/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $7.6 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +11.1%
Total population: 46,054

14. Butte-Silver Bow, MT

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 96.6/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $2.7 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +3.0%
Total population: 34,638

13. French Valley, CA

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 97.0/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $6.2 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +31.5%
Total population: 41,239

12. El Dorado Hills, CA

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 97.4/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $13.6 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +8.8%
Total population: 49,082

11. Sahuarita, AZ

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 97.7/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $3.2 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +21.2%
Total population: 34,238

10. Kingman, AZ

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 97.9/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $2.5 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +14.5%
Total population: 33,052

9. St. George, UT

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 98.4/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $11.1 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +20.2%
Total population: 96,174

8. Temescal Valley, CA

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 98.6/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $5.1 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +11.1%
Total population: 28,227

7. Wildomar, CA

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 98.8/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $4.0 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +3.7%
Total population: 36,822

6. Fallbrook, CA

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 98.8/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $4.9 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +8.3%
Total population: 33,710

5. Horizon West, FL

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 99.0/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $6.0 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +131.0%
Total population: 58,595

4. Eagle Mountain, UT

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 99.3/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $4.4 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +66.0%
Total population: 46,109

3. Beaumont, CA

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 99.5/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $5.5 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +22.7%
Total population: 53,544

2. Washington, UT

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 99.5/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $3.6 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: +20.3%
Total population: 29,161

1. Banning, CA

FEMA wildfire risk index score: 99.6/100
Total value of owner-occupied homes: $2.3 billion
Population change, 2017 to 2022: -2.9%
Total population: 29,929