The Historic Neighborhoods With the Greatest Wildfire Risk

By Evan Comen  •  October 4, 2025
https://climate-crisis-bucket.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/02215131/Historic-Districts-And-Wildfire-Risk-150x150.png

One overlooked consequence of the climate crisis is the threat that rising seas, increased wildfire risk, and more frequent extreme weather events pose to historic sites. This past summer, the Dragon Bravo Fire destroyed dozens of structures in Grand Canyon National Park, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge. As rising temperatures and prolonged drought raise wildfire risk throughout the country, many historic neighborhoods are at particularly high risk.

Hot property? From Maui to Malibu, These Affluent Enclaves Are Becoming Wildfire Hotspots
Whence the next pandemic? Cities Where the Next Pandemic Is Most Likely to Break Out

While the temperate East Coast is home to the oldest structures in America, there are a number of significant historic sites situated in high risk zones in the West. The Telluride Historic District in Colorado, for example – where wildfire risk is among the highest in the country has dozens of at-risk buildings dating back to the late 1800s that preserve the boomtown architecture of the mining town. Other significant historical sites in areas with high wildfire risk include the Huning Highlands Historic District in Albuquerque and the Helper Commercial District in Utah. A closer look at the data reveals the historic neighborhoods with the greatest wildfire risk.

To determine the historic neighborhoods with the greatest wildfire risk, Climate Crisis 247 reviewed data on wildland fire potential from the U.S. Geological Survey. Historic districts were ranked based on the average Wildland Fire Potential Index score within their boundaries as of October 3, 2025. USGS data is based on factors such as vegetation type, fuel load, historical fire occurrence, wind, and topography. Spatial boundaries for historic districts used in calculating zonal averages are from the National Park Service.

25. Earll Place Historic District (Phoenix, AZ)

Photo by Chris Tingom on Unsplash

  • Average Wildland Fire Potential Index score: 96.0/150
  • Number buildings in district: 40 structures
  • Added to National Register of Historic Places: June 9, 2006
 

24. Huning Highlands Historic District (Albuquerque, NM)

Photo by Gabriel Griego on Unsplash

  • Average Wildland Fire Potential Index score: 96.5/150
  • Number buildings in district: 388 structures
  • Added to National Register of Historic Places: November 17, 1978
 

23. Copperton Historic District (Copperton, UT)

Photo by Matthew Montrone on Pexels

  • Average Wildland Fire Potential Index score: 96.6/150
  • Number buildings in district: 237 structures
  • Added to National Register of Historic Places: August 14, 1986
 

22. Campus Vista Historic District (Phoenix, AZ)

Photo by Nader Abushhab on Unsplash

  • Average Wildland Fire Potential Index score: 96.6/150
  • Number buildings in district: 171 structures
  • Added to National Register of Historic Places: June 10, 2010
 

21. Berkley Square (Las Vegas, NV)

Photo by Ryan Hafey on Unsplash

  • Average Wildland Fire Potential Index score: 96.9/150
  • Number buildings in district: 95 structures
  • Added to National Register of Historic Places: October 23, 2009
 

20. Cheery Lynn Historic District (Phoenix, AZ)

Photo by Jeremy Alford on Unsplash

  • Average Wildland Fire Potential Index score: 96.9/150
  • Number buildings in district: 57 structures
  • Added to National Register of Historic Places: December 21, 1994
 

19. John S. Park Historic District (Las Vegas, NV)

Photo by Sung Shin on Unsplash

  • Average Wildland Fire Potential Index score: 96.9/150
  • Number buildings in district: 126 structures
  • Added to National Register of Historic Places: May 16, 2003
 

18. Wells Historic District (Salt Lake City, UT)

Photo by Brent Pace on Unsplash

  • Average Wildland Fire Potential Index score: 97.1/150
  • Number buildings in district: 1,923 structures
  • Added to National Register of Historic Places: April 21, 2010
 

17. Murray Downtown Residential Historic District (Murray, UT)

Photo by Red Heron on Unsplash

  • Average Wildland Fire Potential Index score: 97.3/150
  • Number buildings in district: 185 structures
  • Added to National Register of Historic Places: January 26, 2005
 

16. Garfield Historic District (Phoenix, AZ)

Photo by tmsims15 on Pixabay

  • Average Wildland Fire Potential Index score: 97.6/150
  • Number buildings in district: 486 structures
  • Added to National Register of Historic Places: June 10, 2010
 

15. Town and Country Scottsdale Residential Historic District (Scottsdale, AZ)

Photo by Kody Goodson on Unsplash

  • Average Wildland Fire Potential Index score: 98.0/150
  • Number buildings in district: 50 structures
  • Added to National Register of Historic Places: September 8, 2009
 

14. Fort Douglas (Salt Lake City, UT)

Photo by Leo_Visions on Unsplash

  • Average Wildland Fire Potential Index score: 98.7/150
  • Number buildings in district: 37 structures
  • Added to National Register of Historic Places: March 31, 2017
 

13. Boulder City Historic District (Boulder City, NV)

Photo by Yifu Wu on Unsplash

  • Average Wildland Fire Potential Index score: 99.5/150
  • Number buildings in district: 408 structures
  • Added to National Register of Historic Places: August 19, 1983
 

12. Telluride Historic District (Telluride, CO)

Photo by Jesse Paul on Unsplash

  • Average Wildland Fire Potential Index score: 99.5/150
  • Number buildings in district: 305 structures
  • Added to National Register of Historic Places: October 15, 1966
 

11. Ashland Place Historic District (Phoenix, AZ)

Photo by Joe Cook on Unsplash

  • Average Wildland Fire Potential Index score: 99.6/150
  • Number buildings in district: 57 structures
  • Added to National Register of Historic Places: December 21, 1994
 

10. Thunderbird Estates and The McDonald Addition Historic District (Glendale, AZ)

Photo by Avi Waxman on Unsplash

  • Average Wildland Fire Potential Index score: 99.7/150
  • Number buildings in district: 46 structures
  • Added to National Register of Historic Places: June 30, 2010
 

9. Brentwood Historic District (Phoenix, AZ)

Photo by Michael Carruth on Unsplash

  • Average Wildland Fire Potential Index score: 99.7/150
  • Number buildings in district: 126 structures
  • Added to National Register of Historic Places: June 9, 2010
 

8. North Garfield Historic District (Phoenix, AZ)

Photo by Christopher Hagens on Unsplash

  • Average Wildland Fire Potential Index score: 99.9/150
  • Number buildings in district: 200 structures
  • Added to National Register of Historic Places: June 10, 2010
 

7. Yaple Park Historic District (Phoenix, AZ)

Photo by iStrfry , Marcus on Unsplash

  • Average Wildland Fire Potential Index score: 99.9/150
  • Number buildings in district: 93 structures
  • Added to National Register of Historic Places: June 10, 2010
 

6. Downtown Deming Historic District (Deming, NM)

Photo by Lukas on Pexels

  • Average Wildland Fire Potential Index score: 100.0/150
  • Number buildings in district: 63 structures
  • Added to National Register of Historic Places: April 28, 2014
 

5. East Third Avenue Historic Residential District (Durango, CO)

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels

  • Average Wildland Fire Potential Index score: 102.4/150
  • Number buildings in district: 98 structures
  • Added to National Register of Historic Places: October 11, 1984
 

4. Helper Commercial District (Helper, UT)

Photo by Matthew Montrone on Pexels

  • Average Wildland Fire Potential Index score: 102.6/150
  • Number buildings in district: 288 structures
  • Added to National Register of Historic Places: July 24, 1979
 

3. Main Avenue Historic District (Durango, CO)

Photo by Dante Muñoz on Pexels

  • Average Wildland Fire Potential Index score: 103.1/150
  • Number buildings in district: 86 structures
  • Added to National Register of Historic Places: August 7, 1980
 

2. Las Vegas High School Neighborhood Historic District (Las Vegas, NV)

Photo by Roberto Lee Cortes on Pexels

  • Average Wildland Fire Potential Index score: 107.0/150
  • Number buildings in district: 150 structures
  • Added to National Register of Historic Places: January 30, 1991
 

1. Boulevard Park (Sacramento, CA)

Photo by Stephen Leonardi on Pexels

  • Average Wildland Fire Potential Index score: 109.8/150
  • Number buildings in district: 238 structures
  • Added to National Register of Historic Places: October 3, 2011
 

  1. Finding a fiduciary financial advisor doesn't have to be hard. SmartAsset's free tool matches you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area in 5 minutes.
  2. Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. Get on the path toward achieving your financial goals!
More from ClimateCrisis 247