U.S. Historic Sites Face Widespread Wildfire Risk, Study Finds

Researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara’s National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis have completed the first national‑scale assessment of wildfire vulnerability for sites listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Of the 100,117 registered properties, over half are exposed to measurable wildfire danger and 3,446 are classified as having severe risk.

The analysis shows the greatest concentration of at‑risk locations in the western United States, with additional hotspots in Oklahoma, Arkansas and along the southeastern coast. Buildings and historic districts, which make up about 90 % of the listed resources, are especially vulnerable because their cultural value is tied to their physical structures. Nationally significant landmarks are disproportionately exposed compared with state‑ and locally significant sites.

Recent fires such as the Palisades Fire that destroyed the Will Rogers Ranch House in Los Angeles and the Dragon Bravo blaze that razed the Grand Canyon Lodge illustrate the threat. Corresponding author Caitlin Fong warned, “These places anchor community identity, collective memory and national heritage. Unlike homes, they cannot simply be rebuilt—and in many cases, once lost, they are gone forever.” Climate‑change projections suggest wildfire hazard zones will continue to expand, putting additional historic sites at risk.