FEMA rates relative wildfire risk for Kern County as relatively high and reports FEMA annualized frequency of 0.007 per year for the area.
FEMA summary
FEMA's profile for Kern County reports FEMA annualized frequency of 0.007 per year for wildfire. FEMA's relative risk rating for the area is relatively high; the annualized frequency is a separate measure.
Hazard metrics cover FEMA county-equivalent geographies rather than individual addresses or parcels. Use local or state hazard maps before making a property, insurance, retrofit, or evacuation decision.
Select a hazard to inspect FEMA's figures for Kern County.
Wildfire
FEMA combines its area-wide loss estimate and community data in this relative rating. Event frequency appears separately below.
Relative FEMA score
99.7/100
Occurrence thresholds vary by hazard. The FEMA methodology defines the value for each hazard.
The area loss estimate combines FEMA's modeled losses to buildings, population, and agriculture across Kern County. It is not an estimate for a home or address.
City risk summary
For Bakersfield, FEMA rates wildfire risk for Kern County as relatively high, with a relative score of 99.7/100. The next highest relative scores are riverine flooding at 99.6/100 and earthquake at 99.5/100.
Using FEMA data for Kern County, Bakersfield is #65 among 111 covered California entries for wildfire risk. Lancaster is about 67 straight-line miles from the Bakersfield map point; its FEMA figures cover Los Angeles County.
For homeowners and movers
Preparedness actions
Living in Bakersfield? Learn how to handle water storage, sanitation, and security in a small space.
The map shows Bakersfield. All FEMA figures on this page cover Kern County.
The FEMA figures cover Kern County. Address-level conditions require local maps, building records, and property details.
FEMA rates relative wildfire risk for Kern County as relatively high. Its FEMA annualized frequency is 0.007 per year. Damage at a specific address also depends on the building, soil, elevation, and exact hazard zone.
Among 111 California cities covered by this directory, Bakersfield is #65 for relative wildfire risk based on FEMA's score for Kern County. Homes within Bakersfield can have different soil, elevation, construction, and hazard-zone conditions.
In FEMA's data for Kern County, the highest relative ratings are Wildfire (Relatively High), Riverine Flooding (Very High), and Earthquake (Relatively High). FEMA uses estimated losses and community data along with event frequency when assigning these ratings.
The hazard numbers cover Kern County. For an individual home, check local fault, flood, fire, evacuation, and building records for the exact address.
FEMA gives Kern County an overall relative risk rating of relatively high. Conditions at a specific home depend on its hazard zones, building type, maintenance, insurance, and access to evacuation routes and emergency services.
Start with this step: Confirm the exact hazard using official local maps before making property or insurance decisions. Know how local officials issue warnings and evacuation instructions. Use Ready.gov Be Informed and local emergency guidance for a complete plan.
Distances are measured between city coordinates.
| City | Distance | Wildfire rating | Relative score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster, CA | 67 mi | Very High | 99.9 |
| Visalia, CA | 69 mi | Relatively High | 97.6 |
| Santa Clarita, CA | 71 mi | Very High | 99.9 |
| Palmdale, CA | 74 mi | Very High | 99.9 |
| Santa Barbara, CA | 75 mi | Relatively High | 99.5 |
Limited to products tagged for wildfire or general preparedness.
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Pets
Comprehensive kit for pets. Includes muzzle, thermometer, and bandages.
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Pets
Collapsible bowls for easy packing. Hydration is critical for pets during stress.
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Home
Standard home fire extinguisher. Essential for kitchen and garage safety.
View productHazard metrics come from FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 (March 2023). City population and coordinates come from SimpleMaps US Cities Database. For current conditions, use official local maps, warnings, inspections, and professional advice.