Pelzer, SC
Pelzer wildfire risk explained
USFS's Wildfire Risk to Communities model puts Pelzer at the 60th national percentile for risk to structures, modestly above the national average for wildfire risk — a score built from 848 actual buildings. (Source: USFS's Wildfire Risk to Communities methodology.)
Separately from the risk score above, Pelzer's burn probability — fire likelihood with no building count factored in — sits at the 63rd percentile nationally.
Pelzer's building exposure, zone by zone
848 buildings are counted in Pelzer, and 80.7% of them are Indirect exposure — ember-driven risk rather than the 19.3% in Direct exposure or the 0% rated Minimal.
Where Pelzer ranks
Pelzer ranks lower within South Carolina (18th percentile statewide) than its 60th national percentile suggests alone — a calmer spot in a state where wildfire risk generally runs high. Among the 31,521 US communities USFS scores, Pelzer ranks 12,713 for wildfire risk (1 is highest) and 13,182 by building count (1 is largest). Within South Carolina alone, it ranks 388 of 474 places by risk. See the full county-by-county picture for South Carolina on its state page.
Shopping for coverage in Pelzer
Pelzer's elevated wildfire rating (60th 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
With ember exposure the dominant pattern in Pelzer (80.7% Indirect), vent screens and roofing material tend to matter more than lot clearing alone. The home-hardening guide covers both.
More on how this number was built
The methodology guide shows exactly how USFS turned 848 counted buildings into the percentiles shown above for Pelzer. For more on what indirect exposure implies beyond Pelzer, see the exposure-zones guide.