Kittrell, NC
Kittrell, NC's wildfire risk, in USFS's own numbers
USFS's Wildfire Risk to Communities model puts Kittrell at the 43rd national percentile for risk to structures, modestly above the national average for wildfire risk — a score built from 122 actual buildings. (Source: USFS's Wildfire Risk to Communities methodology.)
Fire likelihood alone (USFS's burn-probability figure) ranks Kittrell at the 44th national percentile — 2 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
66.4% of Kittrell's 122 buildings sit in USFS's Direct exposure zone, roughly 81 structures close enough to burnable vegetation for flame contact, not just embers — 33.6% fall in the Indirect, ember-only zone and 0% are Minimal.
How Kittrell compares
Kittrell ranks lower within North Carolina (20th percentile statewide) than its 43rd national percentile suggests alone — a calmer spot in a state where wildfire risk generally runs high. Among the 31,521 US communities USFS scores, Kittrell ranks 18,123 for wildfire risk (1 is highest) and 28,076 by building count (1 is largest). Within North Carolina alone, it ranks 619 of 772 places by risk. See the full county-by-county picture for North Carolina on its state page.
What this risk score means for insurance
At the 43rd national percentile, Kittrell rates elevated for wildfire risk — well short of the threshold where insurers have been withdrawing coverage, though comparing a quote costs nothing either way.
Lowering exposure, not just insuring around it
Because Direct exposure dominates in Kittrell (66.4%), the highest-leverage fix is defensible space, not roofing or vents alone — covered in the home-hardening guide.
Where Kittrell's figures come from
Every one of the two percentiles behind Kittrell's 18,123-place national rank traces to USFS's Wildfire Risk to Communities dataset — see the methodology guide. The exposure-zones guide covers what Kittrell's dominant direct exposure actually means, with real examples from across the dataset.