Topical Fire Report Series

The National Fire Data Center's Topical Fire Report Series explores facets of the U.S. fire problem that affect Americans in their daily lives. Primarily based on data collected through USFA's National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS), each issue briefly addresses the nature and relevance of the specific fire or fire-related problem, highlights important findings, and suggests other resources to consider for further information. Each topical report also includes recent examples of fire incidents that demonstrate some of the issues addressed in the report.

Volume 1

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  • PDF, 99 KbHalloween Fires (PDF, 99 Kb, Volume 1, Issue 1 - December 2001)
    Over a 3-day period around Halloween, a 3-year average of 15,500 fires caused $92 million in property loss, 45 deaths, and 175 injuries.
  • PDF, 106 Kb2000 Wildland Fire Season (PDF, 106 Kb, Volume 1, Issue 2 - December 2001)
    Profile of the 2000 wildland fire season.
  • PDF, 118 KbWildland Fires: A Historical Perspective (PDF, 118 Kb, Volume 1, Issue 3 - December 2001)
    Fire is a natural environmental phenomenon and has been an integral part of our ecosystem for millennia. The population and development of North America has repeatedly brought humans into contact with fire in all manner of circumstances including wildland fires.
  • PDF, 99 KbChristmas/Christmas Tree Fires (PDF, 99 Kb, Volume 1, Issue 4 - December 2001)
    A profile of holiday fires during the period 1996-1998.
  • PDF, 128 KbOlder Adults and Fire (PDF, 128 Kb, Volume 1, Issue 5 - December 2001)
    Older adults (individuals 65 years and older for the purposes of this paper) represent one of the highest fire risk populations in the United States. As a natural result of the aging process, older adults present unique challenges in the fields of fire protection, prevention, and safety.
  • PDF, 115 KbChildren and Fire (PDF, 115 Kb, Volume 1, Issue 6 - December 2001)
    Regardless of the motivations underlying juvenile firesetting, it is a widespread problem that affects not only those children and their families, but also all of society.
  • PDF, 118 KbThe Dangers of Fireworks (PDF, 118 Kb, Volume 1, Issue 7 - December 2001)
    Summarizes some of the characteristics of fireworks fires from 1996-1998, with an emphasis on the dangers and injuries that are associated with fireworks.
  • PDF, 125 KbArson in the United States (PDF, 125 Kb, Volume 1, Issue 8 - December 2001)
    Profile of arson in the United States from 1996-1998.
  • PDF, 186 KbHeating Fires in Residential Structures (PDF, 186 Kb, Volume 1, Issue 9 - December 2001)
    Examines the causes and characteristics of residential heating fires.
  • PDF, 161 KbPortable Heating Fires in Residential Structures (PDF, 161 Kb, Volume 1, Issue 10 - December 2001)
    Portable heating fires in residences are more deadly than other types of heating fires. They account for only 10% of all heating fires, but 30% and 40% of heating injuries and deaths, respectively.
  • PDF, 147 KbAgricultural Storage Fires (PDF, 147 Kb, Volume 1, Issue 11 - December 2001)
    Nearly 11,500 fires in agricultural storage facilities - barns, stables, silos, grain elevators - are reported each year. These fires cause an average of 100 injuries, 10 fatalities, and $249.7 million in property loss.
  • PDF, 150 KbCandle Fires in Residential Structures (PDF, 150 Kb, Volume 1, Issue 12 - December 2001)
    Examines the causes and characteristics of these candle fires.
  • PDF, 147 KbWinter Fires (PDF, 147 Kb, Volume 1, Issue 13 - December 2001)
    Examines the causes and characteristics of winter fires.
  • PDF, 175 KbDormitory Fires (PDF, 175 Kb, Volume 1, Issue 14 - December 2001)
    Examines the characteristics of fires coded in the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) occurring in dormitories.
  • PDF, 181 KbSmoke Alarm Performance in Residential Structure Fires (PDF, 181 Kb, Volume 1, Issue 15 - December 2001)
    Examines the performance of smoke alarms in residential structure fires. Particular attention is given to fatal fires, especially those with multiple victims.
  • PDF, 171 KbResidential Structure Fires on Agricultural Properties (PDF, 171 Kb, Volume 1, Issue 16 - December 2001)
    Examines the causes and characteristics of residential structure fires on agricultural fires.
  • PDF, 165 KbChild Fire Casualties (PDF, 165 Kb, Volume 1, Issue 17 - December 2001)
    Each year in the United States an estimated 2,800 children age 14 or younger are injured and 850 killed in residential fires. Of these children, over 40 percent are under the age five, 70 percent are under the age of 10.
  • PDF, 192 KbLandfill Fires (PDF, 192 Kb, Volume 1, Issue 18 - December 2001)
    Examines the causes and characteristics of landfill fires.
  • PDF, 113 KbFire Station Fires (PDF, 113 Kb, Volume 1, Issue 19 - December 2001)
    Examines the causes and characteristics of fire in and immediately surrounding U.S. fire stations.
  • PDF, 110 KbFirefighter Fatalities in 2000 (PDF, 110 Kb, Volume 1, Issue 20 - December 2001)
    Details the circumstances surrounding their deaths and briefly examines trends in firefighter mortality.