The United States has a severe fire problem, more so than is generally perceived. Nationally, there are millions of fires, thousands of deaths, tens of thousands of injuries, and billions of dollar loss - which makes the U.S. fire problem one of great national importance. Between 1997 and 2006, an average of 3,760 Americans lost their lives and another 20,010 were injured annually as the result of fire. These averages do not reflect the events of September 11, 2001.
The following table shows the number of fires, deaths, injuries and dollar loss in the United States from 1997 to 2006.
Year | Fires | Deaths | Injuries | Direct Dollar Loss In Millions |
---|---|---|---|---|
1997 | 1,795,000 | 4,050 | 23,750 | $8,525 |
1998 | 1,755,000 | 4,035 | 23,100 | $8,629 |
1999 | 1,823,000 | 3,570 | 21,875 | $10,024 |
2000 | 1,708,000 | 4,045 | 22350 | $11,207 |
2001¹ | 1,734,500 | 3,745 | 20,300 | $10,583 |
2001² | - | 2,451 | 800 | $33,440 |
2002 | 1,687,500 | 3,380 | 18,425 | $10,337 |
2003 | 1,584,500 | 3,925 | 18,125 | $12,307 |
2004 | 1,550,500 | 3,900 | 17,875 | $9,794 |
2005 | 1,602,000 | 3,675 | 17,925 | $10,672 |
2006 | 1,642,500 | 3,245 | 16,400 | $11,307 |
¹ Excludes the events of September 11, 2001.
² These estimates reflect the number of deaths, injuries and dollar loss directly related to the events of September 11, 2001.
Note: The decrease in direct dollar loss in 2004 reflects the Southern California wildfires with an estimated loss of $2,040,000,000 that occurred in 2003.
Source: National Fire Protection Association Fire Loss in the U.S. During 2006.
Source: National Fire Protection Association Fire Loss in the U.S. During 2006.
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