Bells, TN
Bells, TN's wildfire risk, in USFS's own numbers
Out of every US place USFS scores, Bells lands at the 24th percentile for wildfire risk to structures — close to the middle of USFS's national wildfire-risk range — a figure built from its 1,195 buildings, not the land around them. (Source: USFS's Wildfire Risk to Communities methodology.)
Separately from the risk score above, Bells's burn probability — fire likelihood with no building count factored in — sits at the 25th percentile nationally.
What "at risk" means for the buildings here
37.7% of Bells's 1,195 buildings sit in USFS's Direct exposure zone, roughly 451 structures close enough to burnable vegetation for flame contact, not just embers — 37.1% fall in the Indirect, ember-only zone and 25.2% are Minimal.
Where Bells ranks
Bells ranks lower within Tennessee (9th percentile statewide) than its 24th national percentile suggests alone — a calmer spot in a state where wildfire risk generally runs high. Among the 31,521 US communities USFS scores, Bells ranks 23,842 for wildfire risk (1 is highest) and 10,681 by building count (1 is largest). Within Tennessee alone, it ranks 458 of 502 places by risk. See the full county-by-county picture for Tennessee on its state page.
Shopping for coverage in Bells
Bells's moderate wildfire rating (24th percentile) isn't the kind of score driving the carrier pullback making news in the highest-risk Western markets — but a standard homeowners quote is still worth comparing on its own terms.
Lowering exposure, not just insuring around it
Because Direct exposure dominates in Bells (37.7%), the highest-leverage fix is defensible space, not roofing or vents alone — covered in the home-hardening guide.
More on how this number was built
The methodology guide shows exactly how USFS turned 1,195 counted buildings into the percentiles shown above for Bells. For more on what direct exposure implies beyond Bells, see the exposure-zones guide.