Gayville, SD
Gayville, SD's wildfire risk, in USFS's own numbers
USFS's Wildfire Risk to Communities model puts Gayville at the 29th national percentile for risk to structures, close to the middle of USFS's national wildfire-risk range — a score built from 239 actual buildings. (Source: USFS's Wildfire Risk to Communities methodology.)
Separately from the risk score above, Gayville's burn probability — fire likelihood with no building count factored in — sits at the 28th percentile nationally.
Where Gayville's buildings actually sit
Most of Gayville's buildings (75.3% of 239) fall outside USFS's Direct and Indirect zones entirely — that doesn't zero out the score above, it means the risk is regional, not structure-by-structure.
Where Gayville ranks
Gayville ranks lower within South Dakota (4th percentile statewide) than its 29th national percentile suggests alone — a calmer spot in a state where wildfire risk generally runs high. Among the 31,521 US communities USFS scores, Gayville ranks 22,327 for wildfire risk (1 is highest) and 23,509 by building count (1 is largest). Within South Dakota alone, it ranks 423 of 439 places by risk. See the full county-by-county picture for South Dakota on its state page.
What this risk score means for insurance
At the 29th national percentile, Gayville rates moderate for wildfire risk — well short of the threshold where insurers have been withdrawing coverage, though comparing a quote costs nothing either way.
Hardening a home in Gayville
Even with 75.3% of Gayville outside USFS's Direct and Indirect zones, basic hardening — gutter maintenance, ember-resistant vents — is inexpensive relative to the regional burn-probability risk noted above. Details in the home-hardening guide.
More on how this number was built
The methodology guide shows exactly how USFS turned 239 counted buildings into the percentiles shown above for Gayville. For more on what minimal exposure implies beyond Gayville, see the exposure-zones guide.