The risk of wildfires is increasing across the country, not just in California, with millions of Americans living in high-risk areas. The top three metropolitan areas with the highest percentage of people living in very high-risk wildfire areas are St. George, Utah, Rapid City, South Dakota, and Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, Washington. Factors contributing to the threat include hotter, drier conditions, “flash droughts,” and an increasing number of people living in or near wildlands that are prone to burning. Areas such as the Southwest, including Idaho, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Appalachia, and Florida are experiencing high wildfire risks due to factors such as invasive plants, population growth, and drought. Homeowners can protect themselves by avoiding high-risk areas and retrofitting their homes to be wildfire resilient, with some effective measures costing as little as $2,000. It is important for people to be aware of fire risks and take proactive steps to protect themselves and their communities from the increasing threat of wildfires.
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