Wildfire Risk in Yakima County, WA
Yakima County stretches from irrigated valley orchards into the dry shrub-steppe and Cascade timber, where large range and forest fires recur in the hills west and north of the valley.
Risk Score
55/100
High Risk
Wildfire hazard in Yakima County
Yakima County, Washington is rated High risk (55/100). Yakima County is a high wildfire-hazard area, with terrain and fuels capable of carrying a fast, destructive fire (a 55/100 FireRisk). the USFS Wildfire Risk to Communities model rates the risk to structures here as High, FEMA’s National Risk Index rates it Not available. Federal records show 14 wildfires within 25 miles since 2000 — the closest, the Ransier Road (2009), burned about 6.9 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 Yakima County
Fire history
The 2021 Schneider Springs Fire burned roughly 107,000 acres northwest of Naches, and the surrounding Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and shrub-steppe foothills burn most summers, sending heavy smoke across the valley.
Terrain & fuels
Cheatgrass, sagebrush, and bitterbrush blanket the lower country, grading into dry pine in the higher western forests; hot, dry summers and afternoon winds drive fast-moving fires, while valley-floor orchards are lower-hazard.
Insurance outlook
WUI ZIPs face rising premiums with the region’s fire activity; defensible space in shrub-steppe and pine is a recurring underwriting concern.
Local programs & resources
- WA DNR Wildfire Ready Neighbors. Free home wildfire assessments and action plans.
- Firewise USA. A recognized community wildfire-mitigation program; participating neighborhoods can qualify for grants and, with some carriers, premium credits.
Fire history near Yakima County
14 federally recorded wildfires (2000–2024) within 25 miles. The closest is Ransier Road (2009), 6.9 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 Yakima County
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 Yakima County wildfire risk means for your insurance
Total potential savings
$3,729/yr
Across 10 programs you may qualify for
$1,589recurring/yr
$10,700one-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
Washington Firewise Community Discount
5–10% premium reductionMutual of Enumclaw and Pacific NW regional carriers recognize Firewise USA. Strong programs in Chelan, Okanogan, and Kittitas counties. Wenatchee, Leavenworth, and Cle Elum areas have well-established community programs.
✓ Residents of WA Firewise USA communities
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
WA DNR Small Landowner Assistance Program (SLAP)
Up to $10,000 (50–75% match)Washington DNR's SLAP reimburses 50–75% of fuels reduction, thinning, and prescribed fire costs on private forestland. Most active in Eastern WA (Okanogan, Chelan, Spokane, Ferry counties). Applications open annually — contact your local DNR region.
✓ WA private forestland owners, primarily East of Cascades — apply at dnr.wa.gov
USDA NRCS EQIP Fuels Reduction Grant
Up to $150,000 (agricultural)USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service pays 50–75% of wildfire-related conservation work (prescribed burns, thinning, silvopasture) on rural/agricultural land through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. Application windows open annually in fall at local NRCS service centers.
✓ Agricultural producers and rural landowners — find your office at nrcs.usda.gov
WA DNR Homeowner Defensible Space Program
Free assessment + up to $2,000 rebateFree defensible space assessments from DNR-certified specialists and rebates for completed work. Focused on Eastern WA WUI communities in Chelan, Kittitas, Douglas, and Okanogan counties. Check dnr.wa.gov/wildfire for current funding cycles.
✓ WA WUI homeowners primarily in Eastern Washington
USDA Forest Service State Fire Assistance
Varies (state forestry passthrough)USDA Forest Service allocates State Fire Assistance (SFA) grants to every state forestry agency, which then distributes them as cost-share programs and grants to private landowners. This is the funding backbone for most state-level wildfire programs listed below.
✓ Apply through your state's forestry agency — universally available in all 50 states
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 high-risk home.
Estimated value impact
−$12K to −$23K
roughly 2.0%–4.0% of value
The durable effect of a standing high-risk designation — not the larger, temporary drop right after a nearby fire, which typically recovers in 1–3 years.
Insurance carrying cost
~$711/yr
Estimated added wildfire premium. Capitalized at a 7% rate, that recurring cost alone reduces value by about $10,157 — the mechanism behind much of the discount.
Market & disclosure discount
2.0%–4.0%
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.
High risk — and your insurer already knows it.
Industry reporting describes steep premium increases for high-risk homes in recent years. One renewal cycle without action and you may be shopping the non-standard market.
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.
High risk doesn’t mean uninsurable.
We compare wildfire-specialist carriers licensed in Washington — including ones that still write high-risk homes — to find who covers you and what they charge. Free, no obligation.
$1,589/yr — typical savings when Washington homeowners compare carriers.
“My insurer didn’t renew me after 11 years. FireRisk matched me with two carriers that same week — saving $2,100 a year now.”
Sarah K. · Boulder, CO · previously High Risk
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Lower your wildfire risk in Yakima County
Get a certified fire mitigation contractor in Yakima County
We connect you with vetted, locally-licensed crews who do the physical work that lowers your risk score — and document it so your insurer and Washington'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 3 of your recommended actions qualify for Washington grant or rebate funding.
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✓ Licensed & insured crews
✓ Serving Yakima County
✓ 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 Yakima County 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 Yakima County — 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 hand-checked shortlist of vetted local contractors to do the work.
Yakima County wildfire FAQ
Is Yakima County at risk for wildfires?
Yes — Yakima County, Washington carries a High wildfire risk rating (55/100), so it faces meaningful wildfire exposure. 14 wildfires have been recorded within 25 miles since 2000. Risk varies street by street, so check your exact address for a precise score.
Is Yakima County in a high wildfire risk area?
Yakima County, Washington carries a High wildfire risk rating (55/100) based on USFS Wildfire Risk to Communities, FEMA National Risk Index, terrain, and recorded fire history. Risk varies street by street — check your exact address for a precise score.
How do I check my home's wildfire risk in Yakima County?
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 Yakima County?
Yes. Insurers price Washington policies off the same federal hazard data in this report, and high-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 Washington
Official Washington resources
Know your home's exact wildfire risk
Street-level risk in Yakima County varies enormously. Get your address's precise score, defensible-space map, and insurance options — free, in 30 seconds.
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