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 4

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  • PDF, 145 KbFires Ignited by Lighters and Matches (PDF, 145 Kb, Volume 4, Issue 1 - October 2004)
    Examines the causes and characteristics of lighter and match fires, based on 2002 NFIRS data, and compares such characteristics with those of all fires.
  • PDF, 115 KbResidential Structure Match- or Lighter-Ignited Fires (PDF, 115 Kb, Volume 4, Issue 2 - October 2004)
    Only 19% of all fires ignited by lighters and matches occurred in residential structures in 2002. These fires, however, accounted for approximately 80% of all fatalities, 76% of all injuries, and 68% of all property loss resulting from lighter and match fires.
  • PDF, 103 KbRestaurant Fires (PDF, 103 Kb, Volume 4, Issue 3 - October 2004)
    Examines the causes and characteristics of reported restaurant structure fires in 2002 and compares such characteristics with those of all non-residential structure fires.
  • PDF, 100 KbKitchen Fires (PDF, 100 Kb, Volume 4, Issue 4 - October 2004)
    Examines the characteristics and frequency of kitchen fires and compares them with structure fires and all fires generally.
  • PDF, 198 KbNew Year's Holiday Fires (PDF, 198 Kb, Volume 4, Issue 5 - November 2004)
    Examines the patterns and characteristics of fires that occurred during the 2001 and 2002 New Year's holidays, and it compares those characteristics with average fire patterns during comparable winter days and annually.
  • PDF, 101 KbSchool Fires (PDF, 101 Kb, Volume 4, Issue 6 - December 2004)
    In 2002, 37% of all school structure fires and 52% of middle and high school structure fires were incendiary or suspicious. Fatalities from school fires are rare, but injuries per fire were higher in school structure fires than non-residential structure fires on average.
  • PDF, 233 KbFire Risk (PDF, 233 Kb, Volume 4, Issue 7 - December 2004)
    Focuses on how fire risk - specifically the risk of death and injury - varies with age and how other demographic and socio-economic factors weigh upon that risk.
  • PDF, 368 KbThe Fire Risk to Children (PDF, 368 Kb, Volume 4, Issue 8 - December 2004)
    Provides a brief analysis of the fire risk for children between birth and age 14.
  • PDF, 440 KbThe Fire Risk to Older Adults (PDF, 440 Kb, Volume 4, Issue 9 - December 2004)
    Provides a brief analysis of the fire risk for older adults over the age of 64.