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U.S. wildfire preparedness · Free checklist

Wildfire Risk Assessment

Review your property, defensible space and evacuation readiness. Answer 15 questions to get a checklist score, critical-gap warnings and a practical action plan.

About 4 minutesCAL FIRE guidanceNo account required

If a wildfire threatens you: follow local emergency instructions and leave when directed. Do not wait for this checklist or delay evacuation to protect property.

Start your property check

Choose your building type. You can change any answer before printing your plan.

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Your property checklist

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Your checklist & action plan

Checklist score / 100

Category breakdown

Your priority improvements

Critical items come first. All incomplete and uncertain answers appear below.

Review or edit all 15 answers

The score is not the probability of wildfire or a prediction that your home will survive. Contact your local fire department for advice or an inspection. Weights are editorial, not a validated risk model.

Understanding property wildfire exposure

Local fire conditions, nearby fuels and construction details all matter. A maintained property can still be exposed to wind-driven embers or fires in neighboring buildings. Treat the checklist as a way to identify work and questions for your fire agency, rather than a prediction that a home will survive.

For wildfire risk by state and community, start with Wildfire Risk to Communities and local fire-agency maps. For current fire-weather information, check National Weather Service guidance. Weather alerts and mapped exposure are separate from local evacuation instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this score predict wildfire risk?
No. The score summarizes self-reported exposure and preparation. AllFirefighter sets editorial weights: environment 20, construction 25, defensible space 25, hardening 15 and readiness 15. It is not a validated probability model, official hazard designation or insurance certification. Critical gaps are flagged independently.
What are Zones 0, 1 and 2?
CAL FIRE guidance emphasizes the first 5 feet, vegetation management out to 30 feet and an outer zone out to 100 feet or your property boundary. Local rules, slope and site conditions matter. Do not clear neighboring land without permission.
What roof should I choose?
Verify the installed roof assembly has a Class A fire rating. Material names alone do not establish the rating. Ask a qualified contractor about approved products and maintenance.
Are all screened vents ember resistant?
No. Ask about listed flame- and ember-resistant vents. CAL FIRE also describes appropriate corrosion-resistant metal screening. Product instructions, ventilation needs and local requirements matter.
What if I rent or live in a shared building?
Coordinate structural work and vegetation maintenance with your landlord, HOA or building manager. Learn the building evacuation plan and arrange transport and assistance before fire weather develops.
Can I move a propane tank farther from the house?
Consult the propane supplier and local fire authority about siting and clearance. Do not move a tank yourself or treat a generic distance as a universal rule.
What if my neighborhood has only one road out?
Identify available routes with local authorities and plan early departure, transport and assistance. A limited route makes preparation especially important; it is not solved by inventing an unsafe alternative.
Should I wet the roof before leaving?
Never delay evacuation for watering or roof work. Follow official directions; leaving water running can reduce pressure needed by responders.
Is a Red Flag Warning an evacuation order?
No. NWS fire-weather alerts describe weather conditions. Local authorities issue evacuation instructions. Monitor both and leave promptly when directed or when you feel threatened.
How can I check risk in my state or community?
Use the USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities resources and your state or local fire-agency maps. Risk varies within states; an unsourced statewide ranking cannot establish the exposure of an individual property.
Are answers saved or shared?
Answers remain in this browser unless you opt into saving progress on this device. Clear saved progress to remove it. Sharing sends the tool URL; copy and print include your checklist and action plan.
How are not-applicable and unknown answers handled?
Unknown answers earn zero points and remain visible as items to verify. Only explicitly offered not-applicable answers remove possible points. The remaining earned points are divided by applicable possible points and rescaled to 100. Excluding an item does not remove a real-world exposure.

About This Assessment

This U.S.-focused checklist reviews self-reported exposure and preparedness. It does not query current weather, fire perimeters, your address or evacuation orders. California guidance provides practical examples; local requirements and property conditions take precedence.

Editorial weights: environment 20, construction 25, defensible space 25, hardening 15 and readiness 15. Score = earned points ÷ applicable possible points × 100, rounded. A high total does not cancel a critical gap. Unknown answers earn zero. Allowed not-applicable answers remove possible points and do not imply absence of real-world exposure. Guidance reviewed October 9, 2026.

Official sources & references

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⚠️ Disclaimer: This tool is for training and planning purposes only. Do not rely on these calculations as the sole basis for live fireground operations. Always defer to your department's SOPs. Read full operational disclaimer.

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