From Maui to Malibu, These Affluent Enclaves Are Becoming Wildfire Hotspots

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This week, a major wildfire broke out in Malibu, threatening some of the nicest real estate in the country and forcing thousands of residents to evacuate their homes. Southern California firefighters are currently working to control the 4,000-acre blaze, with 7% of the fire contained as of Wednesday night.

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While climate change disproportionately impacts the poorest and most vulnerable, the Franklin Fire is a reminder that as wildfires continue to become larger and more intense, no segment of society will be insulated from the effects of global warming. In fact, many of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the U.S. are in some of the most fire-prone parts of the country. A closer look at home values and risk data reveals the affluent cities, towns, and villages most at risk of burning down.

To determine where the nicest homes are at the greatest risk of wildfire, Climate Crisis 247 reviewed data on home value from the U.S. Census Bureau and natural hazard risk from FEMA. Cities, towns, and census-designated places with relatively high to very high risk of wildfire were ranked based on average home value. Data on average home value is based on aggregate home value figures and total household counts from the Census Bureau’s 2022 American Community Survey, while wildfire risk is based on census-tract-level data from the FEMA National Risk Index program. Wildfire risk data – a composite of burn probability, building exposure, and historic wildfire activity – was aggregated from census tracts to places using boundary definitions from the U.S. Census Bureau. Only cities with at least 5,000 residents were considered.

25. Citrus Park, AZ (Maricopa County)

• Average home value: $564,966
• Aggregate home value: $1.04 billion (1,837 households)
• FEMA wildfire risk score: 97.39/100 (Relatively high)
• Total population: 5,569

 

24. Prunedale, CA (Monterey County)

• Average home value: $586,048
• Aggregate home value: $3.43 billion (5,846 households)
• FEMA wildfire risk score: 96.34/100 (Relatively high)
• Total population: 19,372

 

23. Eagle, ID (Ada County)

• Average home value: $612,687
• Aggregate home value: $7.45 billion (12,166 households)
• FEMA wildfire risk score: 96.85/100 (Relatively high)
• Total population: 30,635

 

22. Johnson Lane, NV (Douglas County)

• Average home value: $632,893
• Aggregate home value: $1.77 billion (2,792 households)
• FEMA wildfire risk score: 97.99/100 (Relatively high)
• Total population: 6,499

 

21. Evergreen, CO (Jefferson County)

• Average home value: $648,287
• Aggregate home value: $2.54 billion (3,915 households)
• FEMA wildfire risk score: 99.38/100 (Very high)
• Total population: 8,972

 

20. Roxborough Park, CO (Douglas County)

• Average home value: $650,772
• Aggregate home value: $2.19 billion (3,362 households)
• FEMA wildfire risk score: 97.21/100 (Relatively high)
• Total population: 9,057

 

19. Skidaway Island, GA (Chatham County)

• Average home value: $661,414
• Aggregate home value: $3.18 billion (4,811 households)
• FEMA wildfire risk score: 98.34/100 (Relatively high)
• Total population: 9,292

 

18. Sonoma, CA (Sonoma County)

• Average home value: $663,744
• Aggregate home value: $3.85 billion (5,800 households)
• FEMA wildfire risk score: 96.04/100 (Relatively high)
• Total population: 10,702

 

17. Loomis, CA (Placer County)

• Average home value: $674,926
• Aggregate home value: $1.95 billion (2,882 households)
• FEMA wildfire risk score: 95.50/100 (Relatively high)
• Total population: 6,831

 

16. Oak Park, CA (Ventura County)

• Average home value: $677,141
• Aggregate home value: $3.54 billion (5,231 households)
• FEMA wildfire risk score: 97.37/100 (Relatively high)
• Total population: 13,627

 

15. Pupukea, HI (Honolulu County)

• Average home value: $691,283
• Aggregate home value: $1.23 billion (1,777 households)
• FEMA wildfire risk score: 95.87/100 (Relatively high)
• Total population: 5,130

 

14. Scotts Valley, CA (Santa Cruz County)

• Average home value: $692,616
• Aggregate home value: $3.77 billion (5,450 households)
• FEMA wildfire risk score: 96.90/100 (Relatively high)
• Total population: 12,239

 

13. Livermore, CA (Alameda County)

• Average home value: $747,074
• Aggregate home value: $23.73 billion (31,770 households)
• FEMA wildfire risk score: 95.89/100 (Relatively high)
• Total population: 87,154

 

12. El Dorado Hills, CA (El Dorado County)

• Average home value: $766,143
• Aggregate home value: $13.63 billion (17,791 households)
• FEMA wildfire risk score: 98.73/100 (Relatively high)
• Total population: 49,082

 

11. Morgan Hill, CA (Santa Clara County)

• Average home value: $772,183
• Aggregate home value: $11.62 billion (15,054 households)
• FEMA wildfire risk score: 96.96/100 (Relatively high)
• Total population: 45,291

 

10. Kula, HI (Maui County)

• Average home value: $844,520
• Aggregate home value: $2.28 billion (2,700 households)
• FEMA wildfire risk score: 95.73/100 (Relatively high)
• Total population: 6,578

 

9. Alpine, UT (Utah County)

• Average home value: $859,659
• Aggregate home value: $2.53 billion (2,942 households)
• FEMA wildfire risk score: 96.82/100 (Relatively high)
• Total population: 10,260

 

8. Jamul, CA (San Diego County)

• Average home value: $875,591
• Aggregate home value: $1.83 billion (2,091 households)
• FEMA wildfire risk score: 99.92/100 (Very high)
• Total population: 6,018

 

7. Summit Park, UT (Summit County)

• Average home value: $876,067
• Aggregate home value: $2.77 billion (3,163 households)
• FEMA wildfire risk score: 98.89/100 (Relatively high)
• Total population: 8,708

 

6. St. Helena, CA (Napa County)

• Average home value: $1,174,628
• Aggregate home value: $3.48 billion (2,963 households)
• FEMA wildfire risk score: 98.64/100 (Relatively high)
• Total population: 5,426

 

5. Lucas Valley-Marinwood, CA (Marin County)

• Average home value: $1,290,109
• Aggregate home value: $3.28 billion (2,546 households)
• FEMA wildfire risk score: 97.94/100 (Relatively high)
• Total population: 6,334

 

4. Coto de Caza, CA (Orange County)

• Average home value: $1,332,979
• Aggregate home value: $6.79 billion (5,096 households)
• FEMA wildfire risk score: 96.56/100 (Relatively high)
• Total population: 15,632

 

3. Orinda, CA (Contra Costa County)

• Average home value: $1,708,202
• Aggregate home value: $13.26 billion (7,761 households)
• FEMA wildfire risk score: 95.92/100 (Relatively high)
• Total population: 19,477

 

2. Malibu, CA (Los Angeles County)

• Average home value: $1,845,570
• Aggregate home value: $12.43 billion (6,734 households)
• FEMA wildfire risk score: 98.62/100 (Relatively high)
• Total population: 10,698

 

1. Montecito, CA (Santa Barbara County)

• Average home value: $2,149,144
• Aggregate home value: $8.90 billion (4,140 households)
• FEMA wildfire risk score: 98.14/100 (Relatively high)
• Total population: 8,529

 

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