Wildfire Risk in Santa Fe, NM
Low → Moderate by neighborhood
Santa Fe protects its water supply and historic core from fire in the steep Sangre de Cristo foothills — terrain that, just to the east, produced the largest wildfire in New Mexico history in 2022.
Risk · High end
25/100
Moderate Risk
range 5–25 by area
Reviewed by Tom Hunt, Wildfire Risk Expert
Wildfire risk varies by neighborhood in Santa Fe. Across the city our federal-data samples range from low (5/100) in lower-risk areas to moderate (25/100) nearer open wildland and vegetation. A citywide number can mislead either way — check your exact address for the score that applies to your home.
Fire locations come from NIFC — they update about once a day and are not real-time. In an emergency, always follow the official orders from your local authorities. Basemap © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap.
Wildfire hazard in Santa Fe
Santa Fe, New Mexico spans low to moderate risk (5–25/100) depending on the neighborhood, with the high end nearest open wildland and vegetation. Santa Fe sits in a moderate wildfire-hazard band — the zone where conditions in a bad wind or drought year matter most (a 25/100 FireRisk). the USFS Wildfire Risk to Communities model rates the risk to structures here as Moderate. Federal records show 30 wildfires within 25 miles since 2000 — the closest, the Pacheco Fire (2011), burned about 13.4 miles away. Risk varies dramatically block to block, so the map shows the area while your exact address determines your true score.
Get the full report for your address →About wildfire risk in Santa Fe
Fire history
The 2022 Hermits Peak–Calf Canyon Fire (about 342,000 acres), which began as escaped U.S. Forest Service prescribed burns east of the city, became the largest wildfire in New Mexico history. The 2000 Cerro Grande Fire to the west remains a cautionary example for the region.
Terrain & fuels
Piñon-juniper and ponderosa cover the foothills and the steep Santa Fe Municipal Watershed above town; drought and spring winds drive rapid fire growth.
Insurance outlook
Santa Fe County foothill homes face rising premiums; defensible space and ember-resistant features are increasingly weighed by carriers.
Santa Fe fire insurance: cost & who still writes here →Local programs & resources
- New Mexico State Forestry. Defensible-space and WUI mitigation guidance.
- Firewise USA. A recognized community wildfire-mitigation program; participating neighborhoods can qualify for grants and, with some carriers, premium credits.
Fire history near Santa Fe
30 federally recorded wildfires (since 2000) within 25 miles. The closest is the Pacheco Fire (2011), 13.4 miles away. Tap any fire for quick facts.
Where this score falls
This score plotted on the full wildfire-risk scale.
Risk varies block to block in Santa Fe
This score is for the area. Your street, slope, and defensible space change it a lot — check your exact address for a free, instant home-level score, map, and report.
What Santa Fe wildfire risk means for your insurance
Maximum potential savings
$2,986/yr
Across 10 programs — confirm eligibility with your carrier
Annual discounts + one-time grants averaged over 5 yrs · discounts may not all stack
$486recurring/yr
$12,500one-time grants
IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home™ Discount
5–25% premium reductionThe gold standard for wildfire home ratings. Major carriers (State Farm, Farmers, Nationwide, Allstate) offer 5–25% discounts for IBHS certification. A third-party inspector grades your home on five systems: roof, vent, deck, wall, and window glazing. Half-day inspection, long-lasting payoff.
✓ WUI homeowners nationwide — confirm discount with your carrier before scheduling inspection
Firewise USA Community Discount
5–15% premium reductionResidents of NFPA-recognized Firewise USA communities qualify for discounts from State Farm, Farmers, and many regional carriers. Over 1,600 communities are recognized nationwide. Check firewise.org/find-a-firewise-community to see if yours qualifies.
✓ Residents of officially recognized Firewise USA communities — verify with your carrier
Documented Defensible Space Discount
5–12% premium reductionMost WUI carriers offer standalone discounts for documented Zone 1, 2 & 3 clearance — no full IBHS cert required. Submit dated before/after photos plus a contractor invoice or county assessment letter to your agent.
✓ Contact your carrier — requires written documentation of Zone 1 (0–5ft), Zone 2 (5–30ft), and Zone 3 (30–100ft) clearance
Class A Fire-Rated Roofing Discount
3–8% premium reductionMetal, concrete tile, or Class A composition shingles eliminate ember ignition from above and qualify for carrier discounts in all wildfire states. Provide your carrier a letter from the roofing contractor confirming the UL Class A rating.
✓ New or recently replaced roofs — ask your carrier for their fire-rating documentation requirements
Home Hardening & Fire-Resistant Materials Discount
3–12% premium reductionDocumenting fire-resistant upgrades — fiber cement siding, metal gutters, dual-pane tempered windows, enclosed eaves, and 1/16" ember-resistant vents — can qualify for additional carrier discounts. Bundle with defensible space docs for maximum combined discount.
✓ Ask your carrier for their home hardening checklist and documentation requirements
Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Act Recovery Funds
Up to $125,000 (survivors)The Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act (2022) provides federal compensation and recovery funds for NM landowners affected by these 2022 fires — the largest in NM history. Funds cover property losses, mitigation, and rebuilding to fire-resistant standards.
✓ NM landowners affected by 2022 Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon fires — fema.gov/hermits-peak
NM EMNRD Forestry Division Cost-Share Grant
Up to $5,000 (50% match)New Mexico EMNRD Forestry reimburses 50% of defensible space and fuels reduction costs. High-priority communities include Santa Fe, Taos, Ruidoso, Silver City, and communities in the Jemez Mountains. Apply at emnrd.nm.gov/forestry.
✓ NM private landowners in designated WUI areas — emnrd.nm.gov/forestry
NM Forest & Watershed Health Program
Up to $4,000 (project-based)EMNRD funds mechanical and prescribed fire treatments on private forestland in northern NM. Priority areas are Rio Grande and Jemez Mountain watersheds. Post-Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon fire, federal supplemental funding is available through the Hermit’s Peak Recovery Act.
✓ Northern NM private forestland owners — contact your local EMNRD district forester
USDA NRCS EQIP Fuels Reduction Grant
Up to $150,000 (agricultural land)USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service pays 50–75% of wildfire-related conservation work (prescribed burns, thinning, silvopasture) on active agricultural land through EQIP. Application windows open annually in fall. NOTE: requires USDA Farm Service Agency farm/tract number — not available to most residential homeowners.
✓ Active agricultural producers and rural farm operators only — find your NRCS office at nrcs.usda.gov
USDA Forest Service State Fire Assistance (SFA)
Passthrough to state programsUSDA Forest Service SFA grants flow to every state forestry agency, which distributes them as cost-share programs and grants. This is the federal funding source behind the state-specific programs listed here — you apply through your state forestry agency, not directly to USFS.
✓ Applied through your state’s forestry agency — see state-specific programs above
Savings are estimates. Verify current amounts with your insurance carrier, CSFS district office, or tax professional before committing to work.
What wildfire risk does to this home's value
Beyond premiums, wildfire risk is capitalized into market value — buyers pay less for homes that cost more to insure and carry a disclosed hazard. Adjust the value below to estimate the impact on a moderate-risk home.
Estimated value impact
−$0 to −$3K
roughly 0.0%–1.0% of value
The durable effect of a standing moderate-risk designation — not the larger, temporary drop right after a nearby fire, which typically recovers in 1–3 years.
Insurance carrying cost
~$139/yr
Estimated added wildfire premium. Capitalized at a 7% rate, that recurring cost alone reduces value by about $1,986 — the mechanism behind much of the discount.
Market & disclosure discount
0.0%–1.0%
Peer-reviewed CA data finds homes with a disclosed wildfire hazard sell for ~4–6% less; Redfin finds high-risk ZIPs now trade at a discount after years of slower appreciation.
Estimate, not an appraisal. Modeled from your risk tier and an adjustable home value, using insurance-cost capitalization and published wildfire price-discount research (Land Economics 2024 / RFF; GAO-26-107867; Redfin; Eastman-Kim 2024). Individual homes vary with hardening, views, and local demand. Methodology & sources on the methodology page.
Moderate risk today. Fire season is getting longer every year.
Risk classifications can change after a single bad fire season. Lock in favorable rates now, before your ZIP is reclassified.
What happens if you wait
High-risk homeowners have faced steep rate increases in recent years. Non-standard market policies — when you can find them — often cost substantially more.
Insurers have filed hundreds of thousands of non-renewals in fire-risk areas in recent years. Notices typically arrive ~60 days before expiration.
IBHS-certified homes may qualify for premium reductions with participating carriers. Discounts vary by carrier, state, and property.
Research suggests homes with elevated fire risk can sell below comparable homes, as buyers price in insurance cost. Individual results vary.
See your options before rates change.
We match New Mexico homeowners with licensed agents who write moderate-risk wildfire homes. Start with your email — we’ll send your comparison and, if you want, connect you with an agent. Free, no obligation.
$486/yr — typical savings when New Mexico homeowners compare carriers.
Lower your wildfire risk in Santa Fe
Get a certified fire mitigation contractor in New Mexico
We connect you with trusted, locally-licensed crews who do the physical work that lowers your risk score — and document it so your insurer and New Mexico's grant programs recognize it.
What your contractor handles
On-site evaluation of all three zones, documented to insurer and state standards.
Ladder-fuel removal, tree limbing, and brush clearing by trained crews.
Ember-resistant vents, gutter guards, and Zone 1 non-combustible retrofits.
Documentation that unlocks carrier discounts and state grant reimbursements.
Book a free defensible space assessment
Most certified contractors assess at no cost. The visit documents your property to the standard insurers require — and 1 of your recommended actions qualify for New Mexico grant or rebate funding.
$0
assessment
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Contractor Matching — Coming Soon
We're building out our contractor network. Check back soon to connect with a certified crew.
✓ Licensed & insured crews
✓ Serving New Mexico
✓ No obligation
Defensible space & home hardening →
The specific work that measurably lowers your score — with the grants and tax credits that pay for it.
Is there a fire near Santa Fe right now?
The map above shows active fires from NIFC. For live evacuation alerts, smoke, and incident updates, these official sources are the fastest:
Before the next Red Flag day
Know exactly how to protect your home in Santa Fe — free
Build a personalized, prioritized mitigation plan in 2 minutes — every step tied to the insurance discount, tax credit, and grant it unlocks. Then get a shortlist of trusted local contractors to do the work.
Santa Fe wildfire FAQ
Is Santa Fe at risk for wildfires?
Yes — Santa Fe, New Mexico carries a Moderate wildfire risk rating (25/100 at the high end), so it faces some wildfire exposure. Across the city our federal-data samples range from 5 to 25/100, so risk varies sharply from neighborhood to neighborhood. 30 wildfires have been recorded within 25 miles since 2000. Risk varies street by street, so check your exact address for a precise score.
Is Santa Fe in a high wildfire risk area?
Santa Fe, New Mexico carries a Moderate wildfire risk rating (25/100 at the high end) based on USFS Wildfire Risk to Communities, FEMA National Risk Index, terrain, and recorded fire history. Risk is far from uniform — our samples span low to moderate across the city, with the high end nearest open wildland and vegetation. Risk varies street by street — check your exact address for a precise score.
How do I check my home's wildfire risk in Santa Fe?
Enter your street address into FireRisk.ai for a free, instant report. It pulls federal data for your exact coordinates and returns a 0–100 risk score, a satellite map of your defensible-space zones, nearby fire history, and your insurance and mitigation options.
Does wildfire risk affect home insurance in Santa Fe?
Yes. Federal hazard data like what's in this report informs insurer and catastrophe modeler inputs in New Mexico, and rising-risk areas have seen premium increases and non-renewals. Documenting defensible space and home hardening can unlock discounts and help keep coverage.
More wildfire risk in New Mexico
Official New Mexico resources
Know your home's exact wildfire risk
Street-level risk in Santa Fe varies enormously. Get your address's precise score, defensible-space map, and insurance options — free, in 30 seconds.
Check Santa Fe address →