Natural Disaster Risk in Burney

Natural Hazard Profile: Burney, California

Burney is a town of roughly 3,779 residents in Shasta County, in the western mountain region near the Pacific Coast. The area experiences dry summers and mild, wet winters with pronounced drought cycles, with a critical fire season from late summer through fall shaping the pattern of natural hazards that residents encounter. Understanding the local risk profile is essential for anyone living in, moving to, or owning property in Burney.

FEMA rates Burney's composite natural disaster risk at 6.0 out of 10 — high risk. The threat from nearby active volcanoes tops the local risk profile, with potential hazards including ash fall that disrupts air travel and agriculture, and lava that threatens infrastructure. Residents should also account for wildfire and earthquake risk in their preparedness planning.

Burney's risk score, near the 5.9/10 state average and above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Shasta County, the highest-scoring are volcano, wildfire, and earthquake. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Burney residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for volcano and secondary hazards, registering for emergency alerts, and maintaining a household emergency kit are practical steps that can significantly reduce impact during a major event.