About WildFireCost
Wildfire hardening intelligence, democratized
WildFireCost aggregates data from federal and state agencies to give homeowners and developers a clear picture of wildfire risk and the ROI of hardening measures. Burn probability, FHSZ tiers, hardening costs, and insurance savings -- all in one platform.
The Problem
Homeowners in wildfire-prone areas face a daunting question: which hardening measures are worth the investment? Ember-resistant vents, Class A roofing, defensible space clearing, fire-resistant siding -- the options are overwhelming and the costs add up quickly. Meanwhile, insurance companies are pulling out of high-risk areas entirely. Homeowners need data-driven guidance on where to spend their hardening budget for maximum protection and insurance savings.
Our Approach
We ingest data from USFS Wildfire Risk to Communities (burn probability, risk to homes), CAL FIRE FRAP (Fire Hazard Severity Zones), IBHS (hardening measure effectiveness), FEMA NRI (National Risk Index), BLS CPI (cost indexing), and Federal Reserve FRED (discount rates). This data is normalized, indexed, and scored at the county level. Our ROI model then calculates the cost-benefit of each hardening measure -- showing you which investments deliver the highest return through insurance savings and loss reduction.
Our Values
Data Integrity
We use only authoritative federal and state data sources. No proprietary black-box models. Every score can be traced back to its source.
Accessible Intelligence
Wildfire hardening data has been locked in technical reports and government databases for decades. We make it actionable for every homeowner.
Honest Assessment
We do not sugarcoat risk. Our models show you the real numbers -- hardening costs, insurance savings, and the ROI of protecting your home.
Developer-First
Every feature available to consumers is also available through our REST API and MCP server. Build what you need with the data you need.
Part of Smart Technology Investments
WildFireCost is a product of Smart Technology Investments LLC, a research-driven company building decision intelligence tools that help consumers make better financial decisions using data that was always available but never accessible.
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