Trends and patterns of U.S. fire losses

Using data from the current and previous editions of the Fire Loss in the United States, this analysis shows trends in fires and associated losses over time. Fire and loss data for 2011 are also grouped by incident type.

Introduction

Projections from NFPA’s annual fire department experience data reported in Michael Karter’s annual reports: Fire Loss in the United States, particularly the most recent report, are summarized in this analysis. Reported fires and fire deaths have fallen since 1977, the first year of available data. The drop in population-based rates is even sharper. In 2011, home structure fires accounted for 27% of the reported fires. However, these incidents caused 84% of all civilian fire deaths. Vehicle fires accounted for 16% of the reported fires and 10% of the civilian fire deaths. Roughly half (49%) of the reported fires were outside or other non-structure, non-vehicle fires. In 2011, only 5% of all fire department responses were to fires while 66% were medical aid responses. Since 1981, medical aid calls have almost quadrupled.