It is a myth that wildfires are only a risk in California’s rural or wooded areas. Urban locations are also threatened by wildfires due to a combination of factors – and this risk is only increasing. These fires, known as “urban conflagration,” can result in serious damage to population-heavy metropolitan areas throughout California.
Because the aftermath of such a disaster often involves complex liability and insurance issues, many affected residents seek the expertise of a California wildfire lawyer to help them navigate the recovery process.
The Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI)
Researchers identify wildfire risks that cover both rural and urban areas as the “wildland-urban interface,” or WUI. These are areas where developed cities meet undeveloped wildland or vegetation.
These cities are adjacent to forests, plains or grasslands that provide fuel for wildfire growth, making them more prone to wildfires. This risk is particularly poignant in regions of California that experience high winds, as gusts can quickly carry flames far from where they started.
Dry Conditions
California’s extremely dry conditions contribute to the high risk of wildfires in urban areas such as Los Angeles. Dry conditions, such as a drought, create fuel for wildfires in and out of city limits. Dry grasses, for example, can quickly carry a wildfire from rural ignition points to more crowded metropolitan environments.
Seasonal Winds
Many of the most destructive wildfires in California’s history originated in rural areas, with common causes that relate to dry terrain and human activity. When conditions include high winds, such as the annual Santa Ana winds, this comes with a risk of carrying embers to more populated locations. Strong winds can carry a wildfire hundreds of miles from its origin point, including into cities.
Building-to-Building Conflagration
Once a wildfire spark catches and ignites a building in an urban environment, the fire can spread rapidly through the city by jumping from building to building (often exacerbated by strong winds, depending on the season). This is especially common in denser urban communities and neighborhoods that are close to open fields and vegetation.
Although hardscaped cities with more concrete and metal have a reduced fire risk, those with wooden structures (especially those surrounded by vegetation) can exacerbate blazes. Embers may be blown into vents and windows, causing homes to catch fire from the inside even if their exteriors are fireproofed.
Human Activity Risks
Heavily populated urban areas have an increased risk of wildfire conflagration due to human activity – the most common cause of wildfires. Human-related risks such as uncontrolled campfires, fireworks, discarded cigarettes, powerlines and utility company negligence are enhanced in urban areas of California. This translates to greater ignition risks in cities.
Living in a City Does Not Protect You From Wildfire Risks
The key takeaway is that you, your loved ones, your property and your belongings may not be safe from wildfires in Southern California just because you live in a city or urban environment. You can still be negatively affected by a wildfire at any time.
It is important to have the right insurance in place to help you recover and rebuild in the event of wildfire damage. A wildfire may be less likely if you live in downtown Los Angeles compared to a rural community, but cities are still flammable and vulnerable. The Eaton Fire of 2025, for example, devastated the community of Altadena, California, with destruction on an unthinkable scale. Always be prepared for the possibility of a wildfire, even in a major metropolitan area.