Buffalo, SC
Buffalo, SC's wildfire risk, in USFS's own numbers
Buffalo's 919 buildings earn a 64th-percentile wildfire-risk score nationally under USFS's model — well above the national norm for wildfire risk. (Source: USFS's Wildfire Risk to Communities methodology.)
Fire likelihood alone (USFS's burn-probability figure) ranks Buffalo at the 66th national percentile — 3 points above its risk-to-structures score, a gap driven by how much is actually built there.
What "at risk" means for the buildings here
71% of Buffalo's 919 buildings sit in USFS's Direct exposure zone, roughly 652 structures close enough to burnable vegetation for flame contact, not just embers — 29.1% fall in the Indirect, ember-only zone and 0% are Minimal.
Where Buffalo ranks
Buffalo ranks lower within South Carolina (30th percentile statewide) than its 64th national percentile suggests alone — a calmer spot in a state where wildfire risk generally runs high. Among the 31,521 US communities USFS scores, Buffalo ranks 11,449 for wildfire risk (1 is highest) and 12,565 by building count (1 is largest). Within South Carolina alone, it ranks 330 of 474 places by risk. See the full county-by-county picture for South Carolina on its state page.
Shopping for coverage in Buffalo
At the 64th percentile nationally, Buffalo 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.
Hardening a home in Buffalo
Because Direct exposure dominates in Buffalo (71%), the highest-leverage fix is defensible space, not roofing or vents alone — covered in the home-hardening guide.
Where Buffalo's figures come from
The methodology guide shows exactly how USFS turned 919 counted buildings into the percentiles shown above for Buffalo. The exposure-zones guide covers what Buffalo's dominant direct exposure actually means, with real examples from across the dataset.