Tohatchi, NM
How exposed is Tohatchi to wildfire?
USFS scores Tohatchi at the 38th national percentile for wildfire risk to structures (close to the middle of USFS's national wildfire-risk range), a figure built from 523 real buildings rather than raw vegetation cover. (Source: USFS's Wildfire Risk to Communities methodology.)
Separately from the risk score above, Tohatchi's burn probability — fire likelihood with no building count factored in — sits at the 35th percentile nationally.
Where Tohatchi's buildings actually sit
USFS classifies 82% of Tohatchi's buildings as Direct exposure, higher than its 18% Indirect share and far above its 0% Minimal share — a profile where 429 structures sit close enough to vegetation that lot clearing matters most.
Where Tohatchi ranks
Tohatchi ranks lower within New Mexico (7th percentile statewide) than its 38th national percentile suggests alone — a calmer spot in a state where wildfire risk generally runs high. Among the 31,521 US communities USFS scores, Tohatchi ranks 19,482 for wildfire risk (1 is highest) and 16,987 by building count (1 is largest). Within New Mexico alone, it ranks 461 of 495 places by risk. See the full county-by-county picture for New Mexico on its state page.
What this risk score means for insurance
Tohatchi's moderate wildfire rating (38th 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.
Hardening a home in Tohatchi
Because Direct exposure dominates in Tohatchi (82%), the highest-leverage fix is defensible space, not roofing or vents alone — covered in the home-hardening guide.
Where Tohatchi's figures come from
Every one of the two percentiles behind Tohatchi's 19,482-place national rank traces to USFS's Wildfire Risk to Communities dataset — see the methodology guide. The exposure-zones guide covers what Tohatchi's dominant direct exposure actually means, with real examples from across the dataset.