The AI Feature API allows you to assess the impact of wildfires via the Wildfire Vulnerability score. The sections below explain how this score is calculated and how it should be interpreted.
Wildfire Vulnerability Score
The Wildfire Vulnerability Score is a 1-5 score that differentiates between buildings based on their relative susceptibility to sustaining damage if exposed to wildfire. A score of 1 represents the most vulnerable to wildfire damage, and a score of 5 represents the most resilient.
The Wildfire Vulnerability Score is calculated in real time using a scoring algorithm. For this reason, it is omitted from the API response by default and comes with a latency cost when requested on the API.
Quick info
Available for properties in: | USA, AU*, NZ* |
|---|
Available in APIs | AI Features API |
Available in Applications | Betterview |
Model Version | B.0 |
* Data is available in Australia and New Zealand where it assesses vulnerability to bushfires (the regional term for wildfires). However, FEMA frequency data is only available for the USA.
Wildfire Vulnerability vs Wildfire Hazard
It is important to distinguish between Vulnerability and Hazard when assessing wildfire risk.
Wildfire Vulnerability
- Property-specific susceptibility to wildfire damage
- Based on building characteristics and surroundings
- Independent of location
- Two identical buildings in California and Colorado have the same vulnerability
Wildfire Hazard (included via FEMA data)
- Probability and intensity of wildfires in a given location
- Based on geographic factors, vegetation, climate, and historical wildfire activity
- Varies significantly by region
- The building in California may face higher hazard than the one in Colorado
Overall Wildfire Risk = Hazard × Vulnerability
The Wildfire Vulnerability Score provides the vulnerability component. The FEMA annual wildfire frequency provides the hazard component.
Model input features
The Wildfire Vulnerability Score is calculated using a scoring algorithm. The following features are used as inputs to the algorithm.
Roof Characteristics
fireResistantMaterialPresent: Boolean, 1 if fire-resistant materials such as clay tile are present on the roof, 0 otherwise. Fire-resistant roofing materials provide better protection against ember attacks and radiant heatroofDebrisRatio: Ratio of roof area covered by roof debris. Debris on roofs can ignite from embers and spread fire to the structuretreeOverhangRatio: Ratio of roof area covered by tree overhang. Overhanging trees can drop embers and burning branches onto roofs
Roof Condition indicators
roofRustingRatio: Ratio of roof area affected by rusting. Rusting can indicate deterioration that may compromise fire resistanceroofWithTemporaryRepairRatio: Ratio of roof area with temporary repairs. Temporary repairs such as tarps can indicate a compromised roofing system or a hole that can accelerate spread of fire to interior.
Surrounding environment (Defensible Space)
indefensibleSpaceWeightedAverage: Weighted average of indefensible space across zones (0-5 ft, 5-30 ft, 30-100 ft)- Calculated as: 1 - (weighted average of defensible space coverage)
- Higher values indicate less defensible space and greater wildfire vulnerability
- Accounts for vegetation (trees), debris and other buildings in the zones around the building being scored
yardDebrisWeightedAverage: Weighted average of yard debris across defensible space zones. Yard debris provides fuel for fire spread near the structure
All ratio features range from 0 to 1, where 0 indicates the condition is not present and 1 indicates it covers the entire roof area or zone. Binary presence features are either 0 (not present) or 1 (present).
The modelInputFeatures object in the response provides transparency into which specific factors influenced the vulnerability score for each building.
Geographic Applicability
The Wildfire Vulnerability Score is theoretically applicable to any building exposed to risk of wildfire damage. The scoring algorithm was developed based on wildfire risk factors and defensible space principles. The FEMA-based wildfire frequency data utilizes the FEMA National Risk Index, which provides coverage across the United States.
For properties outside the United States, the vulnerability score can still be calculated, but FEMA frequency data will not be available.
Peril Applicability
The Wildfire Vulnerability Score correlates with damage caused by wildfire only. It applies to:
- Wildfire damage from structural ignition
- Ember attacks
- Radiant heat exposure
- Direct flame contact
It does not apply to:
- Wind damage (use Wind or Hurricane Vulnerability Scores instead)
- Flood damage
- Hail damage
- Attritional / non-catastrophe fire damage
- Other non-wildfire perils
The score is not expected or designed to perform well on non-wildfire damage claims.
Model Performance and Regulatory Approvals
The Wildfire Vulnerability Score and regulatory approvals can be found within the Perils Wildfire Release Report [Link to PDF]
Parcel Mode behavior
For property based analysis, parcelMode=true is recommended. For information about the AI Feature API's behavior when parcelMode=true is included in the request. For more information, see Parcel Mode.