Rifton, NY
Rifton wildfire risk explained
USFS's Wildfire Risk to Communities model puts Rifton at the 39th national percentile for risk to structures, close to the middle of USFS's national wildfire-risk range — a score built from 284 actual buildings. (Source: USFS's Wildfire Risk to Communities methodology.)
Separately from the risk score above, Rifton's burn probability — fire likelihood with no building count factored in — sits at the 39th percentile nationally.
Where Rifton's buildings actually sit
USFS classifies 98.9% of Rifton's buildings as Direct exposure, higher than its 0% Indirect share and far above its 1.1% Minimal share — a profile where 281 structures sit close enough to vegetation that lot clearing matters most.
Where Rifton ranks
Within New York, Rifton ranks higher (82nd percentile) than it does nationally (39th) — one of the more fire-exposed places in a state that, overall, scores lower than that. Among the 31,521 US communities USFS scores, Rifton ranks 19,260 for wildfire risk (1 is highest) and 22,070 by building count (1 is largest). Within New York alone, it ranks 229 of 1,289 places by risk. See the full county-by-county picture for New York on its state page.
Rifton and the insurance market
At the 39th national percentile, Rifton rates moderate 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 Rifton (98.9%), the highest-leverage fix is defensible space, not roofing or vents alone — covered in the home-hardening guide.
Where Rifton's figures come from
The methodology guide shows exactly how USFS turned 284 counted buildings into the percentiles shown above for Rifton. The exposure-zones guide covers what Rifton's dominant direct exposure actually means, with real examples from across the dataset.