Wildfire Risk Threatens Thousands of U.S. Historic Landmarks
Wildfire Risk Threatens Thousands of U.S. Historic Landmarks
US · Published Jul 29, 2026
A groundbreaking study by researchers at UC Santa Barbara’s National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) has revealed that over half of the 100,117 historic sites listed in the National Register of Historic Places face measurable wildfire exposure.
The study, published in Nature Scientific Reports, highlights that 3,446 of these sites are at severe risk.

Impact & Risks

The study identifies significant risks to U.S. cultural heritage, particularly in states like California, New Mexico, Colorado, and Oklahoma, where clusters of at-risk sites are prominent. Historic buildings and districts are especially vulnerable, as their loss often results in irreparable damage to cultural memory. Nationally significant sites face disproportionately high exposure compared to state or local landmarks. The findings also highlight a lack of integration of heritage protection into wildfire planning frameworks, leaving many sites unprepared for increasing wildfire threats driven by climate change.

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