Resource Center Research

10 Most Dangerous Cities for Wildfires

By Susan Meyer

Updated May 21, 2026

Reviewed By Beth Swanson

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10 worst cities for wildfires
Methodology

Wildfire Risk Is on the Rise

Wildfires have become increasingly common across the U.S. While the western half of the U.S. is particularly vulnerable, droughts across the Southeast have also increased risks in 2026.^[1] From evacuations to insurance losses, enduring a wildfire is a frightening and costly experience.

But not all parts of the country have the same history and future outlook when it comes to fire risks. The Zebra looked at three data sets to find which areas are the most dangerous when it comes to navigating wildfires:

Overall wildfire risk: This metric determines the risk of wildfire compared to other communities in the country.
Wildfire risk to property: This metric looks at the average risk score to property through 2050. The higher the percentile, the higher the risk.
Acres burned by state: This data tracks the scale of damage in 2024.

We also show the average annual homeowners insurance premium for each city to see how wildfires and other facts may impact those costs.

Ready to find out the most dangerous cities for wildfires? Here's your top 10.

#1: Los Angeles, California

With incredible wildfire losses in 2025, it's no surprise that Los Angeles ranks as the most dangerous city on our list. At 98%, it has the highest overall risk of wildfire out of all the areas we looked at. Property risk is also high, with damage more likely than 85% of all U.S. cities. And in 2024, the state of California had nearly 1.1 million acres burned.

LA by the Numbers

Overall wildfire risk: 98%
Wildfire risk to property: 85%
Acres burned by state: 1,081,144
Annual home insurance premium: $2,657

#2: San Diego, California

San Diego is another high-risk city in California. Its overall risk of wildfire is higher than 95% of the country, while property is more likely to be damaged than 85%. However, these stats don't seem to affect home insurance premiums, which is one of the lowest on our list at $1,856 per year.

San Diego by the Numbers

Overall wildfire risk: 95%
Wildfire risk to property: 85%
Acres burned by state: 1,081,144
Annual home insurance premium: $1,856

#3: San Jose, California

San Jose's overall wildfire risk is on par with Los Angeles and San Diego. But some of that must be attributed to remote areas because the risk to property drops to 70%. Home insurance premiums are also low compared to other cities, costing the average homeowner $1,642 per year.

San Jose by the Numbers

Overall wildfire risk: 94%
Wildfire risk to property: 70%
Acres burned by state: 1,081,144
Annual home insurance premium: $1,642

#4: Riverside, California

Riverside joins our list with the highest wildfire risk to property at 95%. The city's overall risk is at 83%. The good news, however, is that insurance premiums average just $2,300 per year — still cheaper than over half the cities we analyzed.

Riverside by the Numbers

Overall wildfire risk: 83%
Wildfire risk to property: 95%
Acres burned by state: 1,081,144
Annual home insurance premium: $2,300

#5: Austin, Texas

Austin's wildfire risk map has continued to expand in recent years, and the city is now at a higher risk than 74% of the U.S. Additionally, property risk is higher than 70% of the country. Austin homeowners pay an average of $3,273 for coverage each year.

Austin by the Numbers

Overall wildfire risk: 74%
Wildfire risk to property: 70%
Acres burned by state: 1,314,903
Annual home insurance premium: $3,273

#6: Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix has an overall wildfire risk and property risk higher than 85% of the rest of the country. In total, Arizona lost nearly 283,000 acres in 2024. Phoenix also has the 16th highest annual home insurance premium of $3,363.

Phoenix by the Numbers

Overall wildfire risk: 85%
Wildfire risk to property: 85%
Acres burned by state: 282,989
Annual home insurance premium: $3,363

#7: San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio has a very similar risk profile to nearby Austin. The city's overall wildfire risk and property risk are both 70% higher than other areas. Home insurance is slightly more expensive than in Austin, averaging $3,417 annually.

San Antonio by the Numbers

Overall wildfire risk: 70%
Wildfire risk to property: 70%
Acres burned by state: 1,314,903
Annual home insurance premium: $3,417

#8: Salt Lake City, Utah

Salt Lake City has the second highest overall wildfire risk in the nation, at 96%. Property risk is a bit lower, at just 70% and home insurance premiums are quite low at $1,727 per year. Utah suffered from over 90,000 acres burned in 2024.

Salt Lake City by the Numbers

Overall wildfire risk: 96%
Wildfire risk to property: 70%
Acres burned by state: 90,417
Annual home insurance premium: $1,727

#9: Sacramento, California

Sacramento is the final California city on our list. Overall, the risk of wildfire is higher than 71% of the U.S., with a similar risk of property damage. Insurance premiums are on the cheaper end of the list, averaging $1,760 per year.

Sacramento by the Numbers

Overall wildfire risk: 71%
Wildfire risk to property: 70%
Acres burned by state: 1,081,144
Annual home insurance premium: $1,760

#10: Orlando and Tampa, Florida (tied)

Orlando and Tampa share the final spot on our list as recent droughts across the state of Florida have increased the severity of wildfires. Both cities have a higher overall risk than 89% of the country and a 70% higher risk to property. Because of the potential for hurricane damage as well, home insurance premiums are among the priciest nationwide.

Orlando and Tampa by the Numbers

Overall wildfire risk: 89% (both)
Wildfire risk to property: 70% (both)
Acres burned by state: 65,618
Annual home insurance premium: $5,832 (Orlando) and $6,797 (Tampa)

Wrapping Up

If you live in a city with a significant threat of wildfire, you may see home insurance costs rise as the threat of wildfire continues to grow as a result of global climate change.

In some cases, you may be able to improve your rates through fire mitigation strategies (which also have the bonus of better protecting your home from fire). Some states with a high risk of wildfire, like California, are even changing their approaches to wildfires and insurance.

The threat of wildfires isn't going away. Making sure your home insurance is up to date and your home is fully protected is critical if you live in a wildfire-prone area.

Methodology

The Zebra used three data points to analyze the top 50 MSAs by population related to wildfire risks.

Likelihood of wildfire (USDA Wildfire Risk)^[2]
Risk to property (The U.S. Climate Vulnerability Index)^[3]
Acres burned by state (Insurance Information Institute)^[4]

The home insurance rates shown are generated by The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool, a proprietary estimator that uses the most up-to-date approved rate filings across the United States at the ZIP code level to ensure the data reflects current pricing. The underlying rate information is sourced from Quadrant Information Services, which compiles filings from insurers in every state using data from S&P Global.

$300,000 in dwelling coverage
$100,000 in liability coverage
A $1,000 deductible
Home construction year: 1981
Homeowner age: 45
2% hurricane deductible in applicable states
$2,000 wind/hail deductible
Good credit
Markets that are closed to new business, plus high-cost carriers, have been excluded in Oklahoma and Nebraska.
While Hawaii shows as the most affordable premium, hurricane insurance is mandatory and not included in this total.

Sources

Worst spring drought on record grips US, fueling wildfires and water worries. [CNN]
Wildfire Risk to Communities. [USDA]
The U.S. Climate Vulnerability Index. [Environmental Defense Fund]
Wildfire by State. [Insurance Information Institute]

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10 worst cities for wildfires
Methodology

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