Rock Cave, WV
Rock Cave wildfire risk explained
USFS's Wildfire Risk to Communities model puts Rock Cave at the 44th national percentile for risk to structures, modestly above the national average for wildfire risk — a score built from 386 actual buildings. (Source: USFS's Wildfire Risk to Communities methodology.)
Separately from the risk score above, Rock Cave's burn probability — fire likelihood with no building count factored in — sits at the 45th percentile nationally.
Where Rock Cave's buildings actually sit
92.8% of Rock Cave's 386 buildings sit in USFS's Direct exposure zone, roughly 358 structures close enough to burnable vegetation for flame contact, not just embers — 7.3% fall in the Indirect, ember-only zone and 0% are Minimal.
Where Rock Cave ranks
Rock Cave ranks lower within West Virginia (26th percentile statewide) than its 44th national percentile suggests alone — a calmer spot in a state where wildfire risk generally runs high. Among the 31,521 US communities USFS scores, Rock Cave ranks 17,635 for wildfire risk (1 is highest) and 19,513 by building count (1 is largest). Within West Virginia alone, it ranks 318 of 429 places by risk. See the full county-by-county picture for West Virginia on its state page.
Rock Cave and the insurance market
At the 44th national percentile, Rock Cave 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 Rock Cave (92.8%), the highest-leverage fix is defensible space, not roofing or vents alone — covered in the home-hardening guide.
More on how this number was built
The methodology guide shows exactly how USFS turned 386 counted buildings into the percentiles shown above for Rock Cave. For more on what direct exposure implies beyond Rock Cave, see the exposure-zones guide.