California
California ranks 10th of 51 on the National Fireground Score, placing it in the upper tier nationally. Its composite of 62 sits 7 points above the national average of 54.6. The score is shaped most by solid readiness and funding and a comparatively low fire burden. California is outperforming expectations: actual fire burden runs roughly 10 points below what its risk profile would predict. Lower funding accompanies a lower measured fire burden. California ranks 33rd in funding per capita and 38th in fire burden.
Generated from this state's sourced metrics. In production, the narrative is produced by the Fireground Analytics engine.
Score breakdown
Three sub-scores combine into the composite. Burden and Vulnerability are inverted so a higher composite always means a stronger position.
Composite = 0.40 × (100 − Burden) + 0.25 × (100 − Vulnerability) + 0.35 × Readiness. Burden and Vulnerability are inverted so that a higher composite always means a stronger position.
Expected vs. actual performance
Is this state doing better or worse than its risk profile predicts?
Actual fire burden is materially lower than its risk profile predicts.
Expected burden is modeled from California's vulnerability and demographic profile. A marker left of the band means fewer fire losses than conditions predict; right of the band means more. This is a benchmark signal, not a finding of cause. In production this model is the Fireground Analytics risk-adjusted engine.
Funding & the burden it has to match
Grants, per-capita funding, and tax revenue set against the fire burden this state actually carries.
Lower funding accompanies a lower measured fire burden.
Are we funding fire service at a level that matches our risk?
How it compares
Regional peers, similar-population states, and similar-vulnerability states — measured against the same benchmark.
Five-year trends
Is the state improving or declining — on score, burden, vulnerability, funding, and national rank?
Risers & fallers reflect movement in California's national position over the trailing five reporting years.
Key insights
Sharp, sourced takeaways a chief or council member could act on.
Fire injuries per 100k ranks 10th nationally (3.9 per 100k) — a top differentiator for California.
Fire tax / special-district revenue per capita ranks 31st of 51 (41 USD), the metric dragging hardest on the composite.
Housing built before 1970 (29 %, 18th) is a structural vulnerability worth watching as housing and demographics shift.
Every metric, every source
The complete sourced dataset behind this report card. Each figure links to its public origin.
| Metric | Value | State percentile | Nat. rank | Year | Source | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fire incidents per 1,000 residents | 4.1 per 1k | 40th | 21st | 2024 | U.S. Fire Administration | Reported |
Fire deaths per 100k | 0.8 per 100k | 20th | 12th | 2024 | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | Reported |
Fire injuries per 100k | 3.9 per 100k | 18th | 10th | 2024 | U.S. Fire Administration | Reported |
Fire property loss per capita | $77 | 32nd | 17th | 2024 | U.S. Fire Administration | Reported |
Population in poverty | 12.8% | 26th | 14th | 2024 | U.S. Census Bureau | Modeled estimate |
Population age 65+ | 15.5% | 22nd | 12th | 2024 | U.S. Census Bureau | Modeled estimate |
Housing built before 1970 | 29% | 34th | 18th | 2024 | U.S. Census Bureau | Modeled estimate |
Rural population | 32% | 44th | 23rd | 2024 | U.S. Census Bureau | Partial coverage |
Social vulnerability index | 0.50 | 50th | 26th | 2024 | Federal Emergency Management Agency | Reported |
Federal fire grant funding per capita | $13 | 50th | 26th | 2024 | Federal Emergency Management Agency | Reported |
Fire protection expenditure per capita | $162 | 46th | 28th | 2024 | U.S. Census Bureau | Modeled estimate |
Fire tax / special-district revenue per capita | $41 | 34th | 31st | 2024 | U.S. Census Bureau | Reported |
Firefighters per 1,000 residents | 3 per 1k | 48th | 26th | 2024 | U.S. Fire Administration; National Fire Protection Association | Reported |
NFIRS / NERIS reporting completeness | 91% | 22nd | 39th | 2024 | U.S. Fire Administration | Reported |
Go deeper than the public scorecard
The National Fireground Scorecard shows where California stands. Fireground Analytics shows the counties, departments, and decisions behind it — and what to do next.
County, city, and department-level benchmarking beyond the state view.
Drill from the state score into the jurisdictions driving it.
Match AFG, SAFER, and mitigation opportunities to measured need.
Risk-adjusted forecasting from the Fireground Analytics engine.
Turn the benchmark into a plan your jurisdiction can act on.
Custom report cards and peer cohorts for your agency.
Sample data for demonstration only — not real rankings. See the methodology and sources. An initiative of Fireground Analytics.