This ranking identifies ZIP codes nationwide with the highest and lowest wildfire and smoke exposure risk. Climate change is increasing fire frequency and intensity, making these rankings essential for homeowners, insurers, and emergency planners.
42,675 ZIP codes analyzed · Worst score: 100
25 Worst ZIP Codes
| # | ZIP Code | City | State | NRI Score | Smoke Risk | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 91752 | Mira Loma | CA | 100 | 98 | very_high |
| 2 | 92201 | Indio | CA | 100 | 90 | very_high |
| 3 | 92203 | Indio | CA | 100 | 90 | very_high |
| 4 | 92210 | Indian Wells | CA | 100 | 96 | very_high |
| 5 | 92211 | Palm Desert | CA | 100 | 96 | very_high |
| 6 | 92220 | Banning | CA | 100 | 98 | very_high |
| 7 | 92223 | Beaumont | CA | 100 | 98 | very_high |
| 8 | 92225 | Blythe | CA | 100 | 92 | very_high |
| 9 | 92230 | Cabazon | CA | 100 | 98 | very_high |
| 10 | 92234 | Cathedral City | CA | 100 | 97 | very_high |
| 11 | 92236 | Coachella | CA | 100 | 90 | very_high |
| 12 | 92239 | Desert Center | CA | 100 | 81 | very_high |
| 13 | 92240 | Desert Hot Springs | CA | 100 | 96 | very_high |
| 14 | 92241 | Desert Hot Springs | CA | 100 | 96 | very_high |
| 15 | 92253 | La Quinta | CA | 100 | 96 | very_high |
| 16 | 92254 | Mecca | CA | 100 | 95 | very_high |
25 Best ZIP Codes
| # | ZIP Code | City | State | NRI Score | Smoke Risk | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20197 | Waterford | VA | 0 | 11 | low |
| 2 | 20180 | Lovettsville | VA | 0 | 11 | low |
| 3 | 20176 | Leesburg | VA | 0 | 11 | low |
| 4 | 20175 | Leesburg | VA | 0 | 11 | low |
| 5 | 20166 | Sterling | VA | 0 | 11 | low |
| 6 | 20165 | Sterling | VA | 0 | 10 | low |
| 7 | 20164 | Sterling | VA | 0 | 10 | low |
| 8 | 20158 | Hamilton | VA | 0 | 11 | low |
| 9 | 20152 | Chantilly | VA | 0 | 11 | low |
Rankings by State
| State | ZIP Codes |
|---|---|
| Texas | 2,727 |
| California | 2,672 |
| New York | 2,256 |
| Pennsylvania | 2,251 |
| Florida | 1,668 |
| Illinois | 1,609 |
| Ohio | 1,454 |
| Virginia | 1,272 |
| Missouri | 1,194 |
| Michigan | 1,178 |
| North Carolina | 1,132 |
| Iowa | 1,065 |
| Minnesota | 1,023 |
| Kentucky | 993 |
| Georgia | 987 |
| Indiana | 986 |
| West Virginia | 939 |
| Wisconsin | 902 |
| Alabama | 845 |
| Louisiana | 801 |
| Tennessee | 791 |
| Oklahoma | 775 |
| New Jersey | 771 |
| Kansas | 754 |
| Massachusetts | 743 |
Methodology
Wildfire risk rankings use FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) wildfire scores, smoke exposure risk estimates, and proximity to historical fire perimeters. NRI scores reflect expected annual loss from wildfire hazards. Data sources: FEMA NRI, NOAA HMS smoke data, NIFC fire perimeters.
Last updated: 2026-10-20.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are these rankings calculated?
Rankings are based on federal agency data including EPA, FEMA, USGS, and PHMSA. Each ZIP code receives a score based on the specific risk factors for this category. See the methodology section above for details.
How often are rankings updated?
Rankings are regenerated quarterly using the latest available data. The date shown reflects the most recent update.
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