Every year, wildfires burn across the United States, and a growing number of people are living where wildfires are a real risk. In 2016, a total of 4,312 structures were destroyed by wildfires, including more than 3,000 homes and more than 70 commercial buildings.
In 2017, the U.S. saw more than 56,000 wildfires burn more than 9 million acres of land, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. NFPA provides a number of resources to help residents prepare before a wildfire threatens. Additional information can also help neighborhoods plan for an evacuation and what to do once you return home.
Video: Dr. Jack Cohen, Fire Science Researcher with the USDA Forest Service, explains current research about how homes ignite during wildfires, and the actions that homeowners can take to help their home survive the impacts of flames and embers.
News from our Fire Break blog