Study reveals residents of which states are most vulnerable to wildfires – where does your state rank?
- There are 46 large active wildfires according to National Fire News
- Wildfires are a bigger threat to California than anywhere else in the US, with 9,280 reported wildfires
- The state of Texas also shows a high susceptibility to wildfires, ranking second on the list
- In terms of wildfire occurrences, Delaware boasts the most favorable conditions among all states
- Experts share tips on how to act in case of fire
Fueled by rising temperatures and drier conditions linked to climate change, wildfires are erupting at an alarming rate, with over 60,000 scorching landscapes reported across the country. This puts millions of homes at risk of destruction.
And as of today (29th Aug.), 46 large active wildfires are being managed with full suppression strategies nationwide. Current wildfires have burned 1,823,499 acres, according to National Fire News
A new study by Fire Recruitment AU identified the states that are most vulnerable to wildfires, considering the total number of wildfires reported and their respective damage in acres.
California has faced the highest number of wildfires in the country, 9,280. These fires have destroyed more than 2,233,666 acres of land. Residents there have the most cause for concern.
The state of Texas has the second-highest number of wildfires nationwide, 5,576 in total, risking the lives of over 30 million residents. Although the total acreage burned is not the highest on the list, such a high number still calls for the resident’s caution.
Montana ranks third in terms of total area burned, with wildfires consuming a devastating 747,678 acres.
Oregon follows closely behind with 2,202 wildfires scorching 828,777 acres, highlighting the urgent need for fire prevention measures and preparedness plans in the state.
North Carolina, though experiencing 5,151 wildfires, has seen a lower total acreage burned compared to the other states listed, 25,838 acres.
Next on the list are the states of Washington and Arizona, with 1,863 and 1,773 wildfires respectively.
Completing the top 10 are the states of Idaho, Florida, and Minnesota.
A spokesperson at Fire Recruitment AU gives advice on what to do in case of a fire:
- Shout “Fire!” and evacuate immediately. Use the stairs instead of elevators in multi-story buildings. Forget belongings, your safety comes first.
- If your main exit is blocked by heat, smoke, or a hot door, use your secondary escape route. Never touch a hot door handle.
- Crawling low under smoke helps avoid inhalation. Close doors behind you as you escape.
- If trapped, stay in a room with the door closed. Stuff a wet towel under the door to block the smoke.
- Call for help (either the fire department or 911) and signal from a window with a bright cloth or flashlight.
- Once outside, have someone call emergency services.
Full list of most wildfire-endangered states:
| Rank | States | Wildfires | Acres Burned |
| 1 | California | 9280 | 2233666 |
| 2 | Texas | 5576 | 168258 |
| 3 | Montana | 2573 | 747678 |
| 4 | Oregon | 2202 | 828777 |
| 5 | North Carolina | 5151 | 25838 |
| 6 | Washington | 1863 | 674222 |
| 7 | Arizona | 1773 | 524428 |
| 8 | Idaho | 1332 | 439600 |
| 9 | Florida | 2262 | 105475 |
| 10 | Minnesota | 2065 | 69405 |
| 11 | Oklahoma | 1727 | 113235 |
| 12 | Georgia | 2139 | 11108 |
| 13 | Missouri | 1531 | 40262 |
| 14 | Alaska | 384 | 253357 |
| 15 | Pennsylvania | 1350 | 2892 |
| 16 | Utah | 1085 | 60863 |
| 17 | Colorado | 1017 | 48195 |
| 18 | New Mexico | 672 | 123792 |
| 19 | North Dakota | 946 | 49347 |
| 20 | Alabama | 1040 | 22055 |
| 21 | Nevada | 565 | 123427 |
| 22 | South Dakota | 868 | 43620 |
| 23 | Wisconsin | 1040 | 2159 |
| 24 | Mississippi | 922 | 21037 |
| 25 | New Jersey | 906 | 6652 |
| 26 | Nebraska | 785 | 27294 |
| 27 | Kentucky | 723 | 22859 |
| 28 | West Virginia | 752 | 7504 |
| 29 | Wyoming | 540 | 53496 |
| 30 | Kansas | 55 | 163982 |
| 31 | South Carolina | 630 | 7337 |
| 32 | Maine | 636 | 377 |
| 33 | Virginia | 567 | 6696 |
| 34 | Massachusetts | 588 | 1439 |
| 35 | Tennessee | 550 | 4937 |
| 36 | Louisiana | 507 | 10303 |
| 37 | Ohio | 524 | 1415 |
| 38 | Michigan | 435 | 9289 |
| 39 | Arkansas | 378 | 17003 |
| 40 | New Hampshire | 280 | 96 |
| 41 | Iowa | 187 | 7950 |
| 42 | Hawaii | 1 | 40000 |
| 43 | New York | 137 | 550 |
| 44 | Maryland | 112 | 1162 |
| 45 | Rhode Island | 99 | 178 |
| 46 | Vermont | 90 | 157 |
| 47 | Connecticut | 60 | 127 |
| 48 | Indiana | 34 | 836 |
| 49 | Illinois | 29 | 219 |
| 50 | Delaware | 7 | 79 |
Methodology
The study investigated wildfire risk across the United States. It considered both the number of wildfires and the total area burned in each state.
To compare these factors, they created a scoring system from 0 to 100 for each, where the latter equalled high risk. The scores were then given equal weight and added up to produce the final ranking.
Source
National Interagency Fire Center
National Interagency Fire Center
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Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
