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Risk & Response by Arborlook Insights

Butte Valley Fire Protection District

COMBINATION CA 1 Stations
1,770
Est. Population
59.9
Sq Miles
30
Density / Sq Mi
1
Census Tracts
Very High
NRI Risk Rating

Service Area Overview

Your department boundary, station locations, and overall NRI risk scores by census tract. Use the sections below to explore specific hazards, fire risk indicators, and EMS demand drivers across your service area.

Service area, population, and census tract assignments are based on department boundaries from NERIS Public. Boundary accuracy varies by jurisdiction.

Natural Hazard Risk

What this means for planning: With a risk score of 78.2 (Relatively High nationally), avalanche is your leading natural hazard. Coordinate with regional avalanche centers, establish backcountry rescue protocols, and maintain technical rescue readiness for snow burial scenarios.

Top 5 Hazards in Your Service Area

Sorted by life-safety impact. Life-safety loss uses FEMA’s Value of Statistical Life ($13.7M per fatality or 10 injuries). NRI methodology

Hazard Risk Score Rating Life-Safety Loss
$/yr
Total Loss
$/yr
Avalanche TOP LIFE-SAFETY HAZARD 78.2 Relatively High $502K/yr $502K/yr
Earthquake 80.7 Very High $21K/yr $157K/yr
Heat Wave 47.3 Relatively Moderate $18K/yr $27K/yr
River Flood 86.7 Very High $16K/yr $1.0M/yr
Cold Wave 31.3 Relatively Low $12K/yr $15K/yr

How to read this map: Colors show absolute national risk levels (red = Very High nationally, green = Very Low nationally). These are objective hazard comparisons across all U.S. communities.

Historical Disaster Declarations

Your county has experienced 11 FEMA disaster declarations in the last 10 years, and 16 declarations in the last 25 years.

DateTypeTitle
2023-11-21HurricaneTROPICAL STORM HILARY
2023-01-14FloodSEVERE WINTER STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES
2022-09-02FireMILL FIRE
2021-06-29FireLAVA FIRE
2020-10-16FireWILDFIRES

Demographics & Vulnerability

Why This Matters

Your community's demographics shape everything: from where you need smoke alarm programs to how many of your calls are EMS. The data below identifies who generates the most emergency demand, who faces the greatest barriers during emergencies, and who benefits most from targeted CRR outreach.

Age Distribution

Age drives EMS call volume (highest utilization: 65+ and especially 75+, with elevated rates also among children under 5), shapes fire safety education priorities, and determines evacuation assistance needs. The dark marker on each bar shows the national average.

Under 5
5.0% (88)
Ages 5-17
22.3% (395)
Ages 18-64
50.8% (900)
Ages 65-74
14.3% (253)
Ages 75-84
6.0% (106)
Ages 85+
1.6% (28)
Your Community
National Average

Social Vulnerability Indicators

These indicators identify populations that need additional support during emergencies, face barriers to self-evacuation or medical access, and benefit most from proactive CRR programming.

Vulnerability Factor Your Community Peer Average National Average vs. Peers
Disability Rate
Higher EMS utilization, evacuation assistance needs, accessible communication requirements
14.0% 18.3% 13.4% slightly lower
Poverty Rate
Economic barrier to safety resources
18.6% 17.2% 12.5% ≈ average
Uninsured Rate
May delay medical care, leading to emergencies
19.2% 14.5% 8.3% slightly higher
Limited English Households
Language barrier to emergency communication
9.6% 2.4% 4.3% 4.0x higher
No Vehicle Access
Evacuation risk; higher EMS transport dependence
12.0% 3.9% 8.7% 3.1x higher
No Internet Access
Disconnected from digital emergency alerts
13.9% 9.1% 6.7% 1.5x higher

Economic Context

Median Household Income
$47,429
Peers: $74,397 · National: $89,476
Per Capita Income
$22,069
Peers: $38,226 · National: $44,519
Median Home Value
$167,600
Peers: $351,812 · National: $402,761

Fire Risk Factors

What this means for planning: 36.2% of households use wood as primary heating fuel. Prioritize public education on heating safety, chimney inspections, and proper clearance around wood stoves and fireplaces. Partner with code enforcement on rental property inspections during heating season.

How to read this map: Colors show relative risk within your jurisdiction (red = highest-need tracts, green = lowest-need). Check the table below for overall levels vs. peers and national averages.

Risk Factor Your Community Peer Average National Average vs. Peers
Pre-1980 Housing
Pre-1980 construction standards
65.9% 30.7% 36.3% 2.1x higher
Wood Heating
Wood stoves and fireplaces as primary heat
36.2% 16.6% 1.4% 2.2x higher
Vacancy Rate
Vacant properties at higher fire risk
10.3% 29.2% 10.3% 2.8x lower
Mobile Homes
Structural fire spread risk
18.5% 22.5% 5.8% slightly lower
Renter-Occupied
Higher turnover, variable maintenance
39.1% 22.4% 34.7% 1.7x higher

EMS Risk Factors

EMS typically accounts for 60-80% of fire department call volume nationally. The demographics below are the strongest predictors of where that demand comes from in your service area.

What this means for planning: 21.9% of residents are over 65. Older populations typically have higher EMS utilization rates. Consider community paramedicine programs for wellness checks, medication management support, and fall prevention education.

How to read this map: Colors show relative risk within your jurisdiction (red = highest-need tracts, green = lowest-need). Check the table below for overall levels vs. peers and national averages.

Risk Factor Your Community Peer Average National Average vs. Peers
Population 65+
Highest EMS utilization group
21.9% 26.4% 17.4% slightly lower
Disability Rate
Higher EMS utilization, specialized assistance needs
14.0% 18.3% 13.4% slightly lower
No Vehicle Access
Evacuation risk; higher EMS transport dependence
12.0% 3.9% 8.7% 3.1x higher
Uninsured Rate
May delay care, leading to emergencies
19.2% 14.5% 8.3% slightly higher
Poverty Rate
Economic barrier to healthcare access
18.6% 17.2% 12.5% ≈ average

Peer Comparison

Departments similar to yours in size, type, density class, and region. Peer benchmarks contextualize your community risk profile and support “demonstrated need” narratives in grant applications.

Department State Population Risk Score 65+ % Poverty % Stations
Butte Valley Fire Protection District (You) CA 1,770 95.3 21.9% 18.6% 1
Delta Fire Protection District CA 2,062 94.8 24.0% 17.8% 1
Lake Creek Fire And Rescue OR 2,190 94.9 29.2% 20.0% 3
Bear Valley Fire Department CA 1,616 96.2 21.1% 10.0% 1
Whatcom County Fire District #11 WA 957 98.3 41.3% 7.3% 1

Your Community Risk Profile Is Half the Story

This page shows what your community faces. Connecting your NERIS data shows the other half: where response is slowest in your highest-risk areas, whether you're meeting NFPA benchmarks, and how your CRR investments are performing against actual demand.

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