Arborlook
Risk & Response by Arborlook Insights

Big Canyon Fire District

VOLUNTEER ID 1 Stations
8,439
Est. Population
34.9
Sq Miles
242
Density / Sq Mi
2
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 68.7 (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 68.7 Relatively High $461K/yr $461K/yr
Heat Wave 67.2 Relatively High $114K/yr $122K/yr
Wildfire 98.9 Very High $98K/yr $1.9M/yr
Cold Wave 39.4 Relatively Low $48K/yr $56K/yr
Winter Weather 57.1 Relatively Moderate $10K/yr $11K/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 8 FEMA disaster declarations in the last 10 years, and 14 declarations in the last 25 years.

DateTypeTitle
2024-07-26FireGWEN FIRE
2024-07-16FireTEXAS FIRE
2021-08-13FireBEDROCK FIRE
2020-04-09BiologicalCOVID-19 PANDEMIC
2020-03-13BiologicalCOVID-19

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
3.7% (315)
Ages 5-17
13.9% (1,172)
Ages 18-64
56.0% (4,722)
Ages 65-74
15.1% (1,278)
Ages 75-84
9.1% (768)
Ages 85+
2.2% (184)
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
21.2% 18.4% 13.4% slightly higher
Poverty Rate
Economic barrier to safety resources
15.6% 12.1% 12.5% slightly higher
Uninsured Rate
May delay medical care, leading to emergencies
11.2% 11.1% 8.3% ≈ average
Limited English Households
Language barrier to emergency communication
0.8% 1.1% 4.3% slightly lower
No Vehicle Access
Evacuation risk; higher EMS transport dependence
3.0% 2.8% 8.7% ≈ average
No Internet Access
Disconnected from digital emergency alerts
11.4% 10.3% 6.7% ≈ average

Economic Context

Median Household Income
$59,328
Peers: $70,875 · National: $89,476
Per Capita Income
$32,946
Peers: $36,419 · National: $44,519
Median Home Value
$246,048
Peers: $323,463 · National: $402,761

Fire Risk Factors

What this means for planning: 25.2% 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
54.8% 32.6% 36.3% 1.7x higher
Wood Heating
Wood stoves and fireplaces as primary heat
25.2% 22.3% 1.4% ≈ average
Vacancy Rate
Vacant properties at higher fire risk
14.1% 21.2% 10.3% 1.5x lower
Mobile Homes
Structural fire spread risk
24.0% 13.2% 5.8% 1.8x higher
Renter-Occupied
Higher turnover, variable maintenance
23.1% 18.0% 34.7% slightly 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: 21.2% of residents have a disability, 1.6x higher the national average. Residents with disabilities have higher EMS utilization and may require specialized evacuation assistance, accessible communication during emergencies, and coordination with social services. Consider functional needs assessments in pre-incident planning and partnerships with disability advocacy organizations.

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
26.4% 26.2% 17.4% ≈ average
Disability Rate
Higher EMS utilization, specialized assistance needs
21.2% 18.4% 13.4% slightly higher
No Vehicle Access
Evacuation risk; higher EMS transport dependence
3.0% 2.8% 8.7% ≈ average
Uninsured Rate
May delay care, leading to emergencies
11.2% 11.1% 8.3% ≈ average
Poverty Rate
Economic barrier to healthcare access
15.6% 12.1% 12.5% slightly higher

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
Big Canyon Fire District (You) ID 8,439 94.8 26.4% 15.6% 1
Twin Ridge Rural Fire District ID 9,012 93.2 29.0% 13.2% 1
Cerro Fire Department NM 7,757 94.6 26.9% 16.7% 1
C.H.E.T. Volunteer Fire Department NM 7,253 96.1 30.3% 16.0% 2
N Fork Flatwillow Rural Fire Department MT 4,924 99.1 26.5% 9.8% 0

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.

Start Your Free 30-Day Trial

See a live demo first →

Already a subscriber? Log in →