Big Timber, MT
Big Timber, MT's wildfire risk, in USFS's own numbers
USFS's Wildfire Risk to Communities model puts Big Timber at the 69th national percentile for risk to structures, well above the national norm for wildfire risk — a score built from 1,167 actual buildings. (Source: USFS's Wildfire Risk to Communities methodology.)
Separately from the risk score above, Big Timber's burn probability — fire likelihood with no building count factored in — sits at the 67th percentile nationally.
Big Timber's building exposure, zone by zone
Indirect exposure is dominant in Big Timber (95.4% of 1,167 buildings): far enough from burnable vegetation to avoid flame contact, close enough for wind-blown embers. Only 4.6% sit in the Direct zone.
Where Big Timber ranks
Big Timber ranks lower within Montana (37th percentile statewide) than its 69th national percentile suggests alone — a calmer spot in a state where wildfire risk generally runs high. Among the 31,521 US communities USFS scores, Big Timber ranks 9,902 for wildfire risk (1 is highest) and 10,853 by building count (1 is largest). Within Montana alone, it ranks 301 of 475 places by risk. See the full county-by-county picture for Montana on its state page.
Big Timber and the insurance market
At the 69th percentile nationally, Big Timber carries the high rating that has pushed some carriers to limit new business in similarly-scored places elsewhere in the country. Worth comparing quotes rather than assuming last year's renewal terms still apply.
Lowering exposure, not just insuring around it
With ember exposure the dominant pattern in Big Timber (95.4% Indirect), vent screens and roofing material tend to matter more than lot clearing alone. The home-hardening guide covers both.
Where Big Timber's figures come from
The methodology guide shows exactly how USFS turned 1,167 counted buildings into the percentiles shown above for Big Timber. The exposure-zones guide covers what Big Timber's dominant indirect exposure actually means, with real examples from across the dataset.