Residential Building Fire Trends | March 2020 Fire Estimate Summary

Residential Building Fire Trends 

(2009-2018)

Fire estimate summaries present basic data on the 

size and status of the fire problem in the United 

States as depicted through data reported to the U.S. 

Fire Administration’s (USFA’s) National Fire Incident 

Reporting System. Each Fire Estimate Summar y 

addresses the size of the specific fire or fire-related 

issue and highlights important trends in the data. 

Note: Fire estimate summaries are based on the USFA’s 

“National Estimates Methodology for Building Fires and 

Losses” (https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/

statistics/national_estimate_methodology.pdf). The 

USFA is committed to providing the best and most 

current information on the U.S. fire problem and, as a 

result, continually examines its data and methodology. 

Because of this commitment, changes to data collection 

strategies and estimate methodologies occur, causing 

estimates to change slightly over time. Previous 

estimates on specific issues (or similar issues) may 

have been a result of different methodologies or data 

definitions used and may not be directly comparable to 

current estimates.

National estimates for residential building fires and losses in 

2018, the most recent year for which data are available, are 

as follows:

ĵ Fires: 379,600.

ĵ Deaths: 2,790.

ĵ Injuries: 11,525.

ĵ Dollar loss: $8,194,500,000.

Overall trends for residential building fires and losses for the 

10-year period of 2009 to 2018 show the following:

ĵ A 4% increase in fires.

ĵ A 13% increase in deaths.

ĵ A 19% decrease in injuries.

ĵ A 0.04% decrease in dollar loss. (Note: This overall constant 

dollar-loss trend takes inflation into account by adjusting 

each year’s dollar loss to its equivalent 2018 value.)

340,000

350,000

360,000

370,000

380,000

390,000

400,000

Trend

Fires

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Estimate of fires

Year

Residential building fires

364,300

371,500

379,600

356,200

362,100 364,500

374,000

380,300 379,500 380,900

2,200

2,300

2,400

2,500

2,600

2,700

2,800

2,900

3,000

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Estimate of deaths

Year

Residential building fire deaths

2,775

2,695

2,790

2,480 2,450

2,385

2,755 2,765

2,565

Fire deaths

Trend

2,555

10,000

10,500

11,000

11,500

12,000

12,500

13,000

13,500

14,000

14,500

Trend

Fire injuries

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Estimate of injuries

Year

Residential building fire injuries

11,025 10,825

11,525

12,600

13,900

13,050

12,450

12,075

11,475

13,275

6.5

7.0

7.5

8.0

8.5

9.0

9.5

2018201720162015201420132012201120102009

Estimate of dollar loss 

($billions)

Year

Residential building fire dollar loss 

Adjusted to 2018 dollars

7.7

8.0

8.2

8.5

7.4

7.8

7.4 7.3

7.5

Fire dollar loss

Trend

7.7

National Fire Data Center

16825 S. Seton Ave.

Emmitsburg, MD 21727

www.usfa.fema.gov/data/statistics/
Residential Building Fire Causes | March 2020 Fire Estimate Summary

Residential Building Fire Causes

(2009-2018)

Fire estimate summaries present basic data on the 

size and status of the fire problem in the United 

States as depicted through data reported to the U.S. 

Fire Administration’s (USFA’s) National Fire Incident 

Reporting System (NFIRS). Each Fire Estimate Summary 

addresses the size of the specific fire or fire-related 

issue and highlights important trends in the data. 

Note: Fire estimate summaries are based on the USFA’s 

“National Estimates Methodology for Building Fires and 

Losses” (https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/

statistics/national_estimate_methodology.pdf). The 

USFA is committed to providing the best and most 

current information on the U.S. fire problem and, as a 

result, continually examines its data and methodology. 

Because of this commitment, changes to data collection 

strategies and estimate methodologies occur, causing 

estimates to change slightly over time. Previous 

estimates on specific issues (or similar issues) may 

have been a result of different methodologies or data 

definitions used and may not be directly comparable to 

current estimates.

National estimates for the leading causes of fires in residential 

buildings for 2018, the most recent year for which data are 

available, are as follows:

1. Cooking: 192,700 fires.

2. Heating: 35,700 fires.

3. Other unintentional, careless: 28,600 fires.

4. Electrical malfunction: 25,700 fires.

Overall trends in the leading fire causes for the 10-year period 

of 2009 to 2018 show the following:

ĵ Cooking as the leading cause of residential building fires for 

the 10-year period.

ĵ An 18% increase in residential cooking fires. (This is likely 

due to an NFIRS coding edit implemented in 2012.)

ĵ A 30% decrease in residential heating fires.

ĵ A 17% increase in residential other unintentionally or 

carelessly set fires.

ĵ A 2% decrease in residential electrical malfunction fires.

Leading causes of residential building fires (2009-2018)

Estimate of fires

Year

0

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

Electrical malfunction

Other unintentional, careless

Heating

Cooking

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

National Fire Data Center

16825 S. Seton Ave.

Emmitsburg, MD 21727

www.usfa.fema.gov/data/statistics/
Fire Estimate Summary

Residential Building Fire Death Causes 

(2009-2018)

Residential Building Fire Death Causes | March 2020

Fire estimate summaries present basic data on the 

size and status of the fire problem in the United 

States as depicted through data reported to the U.S. 

Fire Administration’s (USFA’s) National Fire Incident 

Reporting System. Each Fire Estimate Summar y 

addresses the size of the specific fire or fire-related 

issue and highlights important trends in the data. 

Note: Fire estimate summaries are based on the USFA’s 

“National Estimates Methodology for Building Fires and 

Losses” (https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/

statistics/national_estimate_methodology.pdf). The 

USFA is committed to providing the best and most 

current information on the U.S. fire problem and, as a 

result, continually examines its data and methodology. 

Because of this commitment, changes to data collection 

strategies and estimate methodologies occur, causing 

estimates to change slightly over time. Previous 

estimates on specific issues (or similar issues) may 

have been a result of different methodologies or data 

definitions used and may not be directly comparable to 

current estimates.

National estimates for the leading causes of residential building 

fire deaths for 2018, the most recent year for which data are 

available, are as follows:

1. Other unintentional, careless: 545 deaths.

2. Smoking: 390 deaths.

3. Cause under investigation: 375 deaths.

Overall trends in the leading fire death causes for the 10-year 

period of 2009 to 2018 show the following:

ĵ Other unintentional, careless was the leading cause of 

residential fire deaths in nine years out of the 10-year 

period, and there was a 33% increase in residential other 

unintentionally or carelessly set fire deaths. In 2018, 16 

reported multifatality fire incidents (resulting in two, four 

or five deaths each) may have contributed to the increase 

in the estimate of fire deaths.

ĵ Smoking was the second leading cause of residential fire 

deaths in 2018, and there was a 4% increase in residential 

smoking fire deaths. In 2018, seven reported multifatality 

fire incidents (including one resulting in six deaths) may have 

contributed to the increase in the estimate of fire deaths.

ĵ A 58% increase in residential cause-under-investigation 

fire deaths.

Leading causes of residential building fire deaths (2009-2018)

Estimate of deaths

Year

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

Other unintentional, careless

Smoking

Cause under investigation

Intentional

Electrical malfunction

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

National Fire Data Center

16825 S. Seton Ave.

Emmitsburg, MD 21727

www.usfa.fema.gov/data/statistics/
Fire Estimate Summary

Residential Building Fire Injury Causes 

(2009-2018)

Residential Building Fire Injury Causes | March 2020

Fire estimate summaries present basic data on the 

size and status of the fire problem in the United 

States as depicted through data reported to the U.S. 

Fire Administration’s (USFA’s) National Fire Incident 

Reporting System. Each Fire Estimate Summar y 

addresses the size of the specific fire or fire-related 

issue and highlights important trends in the data. 

Note: Fire estimate summaries are based on the USFA’s 

“National Estimates Methodology for Building Fires and 

Losses” (https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/

statistics/national_estimate_methodology.pdf). The 

USFA is committed to providing the best and most 

current information on the U.S. fire problem and, as a 

result, continually examines its data and methodology. 

Because of this commitment, changes to data collection 

strategies and estimate methodologies occur, causing 

estimates to change slightly over time. Previous 

estimates on specific issues (or similar issues) may 

have been a result of different methodologies or data 

definitions used and may not be directly comparable to 

current estimates.

National estimates for the leading causes of residential building 

fire injuries for 2018, the most recent year for which data are 

available, are as follows:

1. Cooking: 3,100 injuries.

2. Other unintentional, careless: 1,450 injuries.

3. Open flame: 975 injuries.

4. Electrical malfunction: 825 injuries.

Overall trends in the leading fire injury causes for the 10-year 

period of 2009 to 2018 show the following:

ĵ Cooking was the leading cause of residential building fire 

injuries for the 10-year period.

ĵ A 12% decrease in residential cooking fire injuries. 

ĵ An 11% decrease in residential other unintentionally or 

carelessly set fire injuries.

ĵ A 24% decrease in residential open-flame fire injuries.

ĵ A 34% decrease in residential electrical malfunction fire injuries.

Leading causes of residential building fire injuries (2009-2018)

Estimate of injuries

Year

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

3,500

4,000

4,500

Cooking

Other unintentional, careless

Open flame

Electrical malfunction

Appliances

Smoking

Intentional

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

National Fire Data Center

16825 S. Seton Ave.

Emmitsburg, MD 21727

www.usfa.fema.gov/data/statistics/
Fire Estimate Summary

Residential Building Fire Dollar-Loss 

Causes (2009-2018)

Residential Building Fire Dollar-Loss Causes | March 2020

Fire estimate summaries present basic data on 

the size and status of the fire problem in the 

United States as depicted through data reported 

to the U.S. Fire Administration’s (USFA’s) 

National Fire Incident Reporting System. Each 

Fire Estimate Summary addresses the size of the 

specific fire or fire-related issue and highlights 

important trends in the data. Note: Fire estimate 

summaries are based on the USFA’s “National 

Estimates Methodology for Building Fires and 

Losses” (https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/

pdf/statistics/national_estimate_methodology.

pdf). The USFA is committed to providing the 

best and most current information on the 

U.S. fire problem and, as a result, continually 

examines its data and methodology. Because 

of this commitment, changes to data collection 

strategies and estimate methodologies occur, 

causing estimates to change slightly over time. 

Previous estimates on specific issues (or similar 

issues) may have been a result of different 

methodologies or data definitions used and may 

not be directly comparable to current estimates.

National estimates for the leading causes of residential building fire 

dollar loss for 2018, the most recent year for which data are available, 

are as follows:

1. Other unintentional, careless: $1,580,500,000.

2. Electrical malfunction: $1,227,400,000.

3. Open flame: $723,400,000.

Overall trends in the leading causes of fire dollar loss for the 10-year 

period of 2009 to 2018 show the following:

ĵ Other unintentional, careless was the leading cause of residential 

fire dollar loss for the 10-year period, and there was a 10% increase 

in residential other unintentionally or carelessly set fire dollar loss. 

There were 33 incidents with a reported dollar loss of $1,000,000 

or more which may have contributed to the continued increase in 

the estimate of fire dollar loss in 2018.

ĵ An 11% decrease in residential electrical malfunction fire dollar loss. 

There were 32 incidents with a reported dollar loss of $1,000,000 

or more which may have contributed to the continued increase in 

the estimate of fire dollar loss in 2018.

ĵ A 21% decrease in residential open flame fire dollar loss.

ĵ The spike in the 2016 residential exposure fire dollar loss is attributed 

in part to the Gatlinburg, Tennessee, wildfires.

Note: The overall constant dollar-loss trends take inflation into account 

by adjusting each year’s dollar loss to its equivalent 2018 value.

Leading causes of residential building fire dollar loss (2009-2018)

Adjusted to 2018 dollars

Estimate of dollar loss ($millions)

Year

0.0

200.0

400.0

600.0

800.0

1000.0

1200.0

1400.0

1600.0

1800.0

2000.0

Other unintentional, careless

Electrical malfunction

Open flame

Other heat

Intentional

Exposure

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

National Fire Data Center

16825 S. Seton Ave.

Emmitsburg, MD 21727

www.usfa.fema.gov/data/statistics/
Fire Estimate Summary

Residential Building Other Unintentional, 

Careless Fire Trends (2009-2018)

Residential Building Other Unintentional, 

Careless Fire Trends | March 2020

Fire estimate summaries present basic data on the 

size and status of the fire problem in the United 

States as depicted through data reported to the 

U.S. Fire Administration’s (USFA’s) National Fire 

Incident Reporting System. Each Fire Estimate 

Summary addresses the size of the specific fire or 

fire-related issue and highlights important trends in 

the data. Note: Fire estimate summaries are based 

on the USFA’s “National Estimates Methodology for 

Building Fires and Losses” (https://www.usfa.fema.

gov/downloads/pdf/statistics/national_estimate_

methodology.pdf). The USFA is committed to 

providing the best and most current information on 

the U.S. fire problem and, as a result, continually 

examines its data and methodology. Because of this 

commitment, changes to data collection strategies 

and estimate methodologies occur, causing 

estimates to change slightly over time. Previous 

estimates on specific issues (or similar issues) may 

have been a result of different methodologies 

or data definitions used and may not be directly 

comparable to current estimates.

National estimates for residential building other unintentional, 

careless fires and losses for 2018, the most recent year for which 

data are available, are as follows:

ĵ Fires: 28,600.

ĵ Deaths: 545.

ĵ Injuries: 1,450.

ĵ Dollar loss: $1,580,500,000.

Overall trends for residential building other unintentional, careless fires 

and losses for the 10-year period of 2009 to 2018 show the following:

ĵ A 17% increase in fires. 

ĵ A 33% increase in deaths. In 2018, 16 reported multifatality fire 

incidents (resulting in two, four or five deaths each) may have 

contributed to the increase in the estimate of fire deaths.

ĵ An 11% decrease in injuries.

ĵ A 10% increase in dollar loss. There were 33 incidents with a reported 

dollar loss of $1,000,000 or more which may have contributed to the 

continued increase in the estimate of fire dollar loss in 2018. (Note: 

This overall constant dollar-loss trend takes inflation into account 

by adjusting each year’s dollar loss to its equivalent 2018 value.)

20,000

22,000

24,000

26,000

28,000

30,000

Trend

Fires

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Estimate of fires

Year

Residential building other unintentional, 

careless fires

26,400

28,600

23,100

24,600 24,900

21,000

21,100 22,000

24,500

24,200

Residential building other unintentional,

careless fire deaths

250

300

350

400

450

500

550

600

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Estimate of deaths

Year

480

435

545

410

360

295

465 450

440

Fire deaths

Trend

435

900

1,000

1,100

1,200

1,300

1,400

1,500

1,600

1,700

Trend

Fire Injuries

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Estimate of injuries

Year

Residential building other unintentional,

careless fire injuries

1,325 1,300

1,450

1,525

1,625

1,050 1,075 1,075

1,350

1,525

0.8

0.9

1.0

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.5

1.6

1.7

2018201720162015201420132012201120102009

Fire dollar loss

Trend

Estimate of dollar loss 

($billions)

Year

Residential building other unintentional,

careless fire dollar loss

Adjusted to 2018 dollars

1.2

1.5

1.6

1.2 1.2

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.3

National Fire Data Center

16825 S. Seton Ave.

Emmitsburg, MD 21727

www.usfa.fema.gov/data/statistics/
Residential Building Cooking Fire Trends | March 2020 Fire Estimate Summary

Residential Building Cooking Fire 

Trends (2009-2018)

Fire estimate summaries present basic data on the 

size and status of the fire problem in the United 

States as depicted through data reported to the U.S. 

Fire Administration’s (USFA’s) National Fire Incident 

Reporting System (NFIRS). Each Fire Estimate Summary 

addresses the size of the specific fire or fire-related 

issue and highlights important trends in the data. 

Note: Fire estimate summaries are based on the USFA’s 

“National Estimates Methodology for Building Fires and 

Losses” (https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/

statistics/national_estimate_methodology.pdf). The 

USFA is committed to providing the best and most 

current information on the U.S. fire problem and, as a 

result, continually examines its data and methodology. 

Because of this commitment, changes to data collection 

strategies and estimate methodologies occur, causing 

estimates to change slightly over time. Previous 

estimates on specific issues (or similar issues) may 

have been a result of different methodologies or data 

definitions used and may not be directly comparable to 

current estimates.

National estimates for residential building cooking fires and 

losses for 2018, the most recent year for which data are 

available, are as follows:

ĵ Fires: 192,700.

ĵ Deaths: 170.

ĵ Injuries: 3,100.

ĵ Dollar loss: $451,800,000.

Overall trends for residential building cooking fires and losses 

for the 10-year period of 2009 to 2018 show the following:

ĵ An 18% increase in fires.

ĵ A 41% increase in deaths.

ĵ A 12% decrease in injuries.

ĵ A 19% increase in dollar loss. (Note: This overall constant 

dollar-loss trend takes inflation into account by adjusting 

each year’s dollar loss to its equivalent 2018 value.)

The increases in some of these trends may be due to an NFIRS 

coding edit implemented in 2012.

140,000

150,000

160,000

170,000

180,000

190,000

200,000

Trend

Fires

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Estimate of fires

Year

Residential building cooking fires

183,300

164,900166,000

166,600

182,000

188,000 189,800

193,400 191,800

192,700

60

90

120

150

180

210

240

270

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Estimate of deaths

Year

Residential building cooking fire deaths

170 170 170

105

135 145

225

250

165

Fire deaths

Trend

140

2,800

3,000

3,200

3,400

3,600

3,800

4,000

4,200

4,400

4,600

Trend

Fire injuries

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Estimate of injuries

Year

Residential building cooking fire injuries

3,475

3,300

3,100

3,350

3,675

4,425

4,225 4,125

3,775

3,750

250.0

300.0

350.0

400.0

450.0

500.0

550.0

600.0

650.0

2018201720162015201420132012201120102009

Fire dollar loss

Trend

Estimate of dollar loss 

($millions)

Year

Residential building cooking fire dollar loss 

Adjusted to 2018 dollars

448.7 451.8

360.4 364.9

607.7

559.2

579.5

524.2

427.0

359.5

National Fire Data Center

16825 S. Seton Ave.

Emmitsburg, MD 21727

www.usfa.fema.gov/data/statistics/
Residential Building Intentional 

Fire Trends | March 2020 Fire Estimate Summary

Residential Building Intentional Fire 

Trends (2009-2018)

Fire estimate summaries present basic data 

on the size and status of the fire problem in 

the United States as depicted through data 

reported to the U.S. Fire Administration’s (USFA’s) 

National Fire Incident Reporting System. Each 

Fire Estimate Summary addresses the size of the 

specific fire or fire-related issue and highlights 

important trends in the data. Note: Fire estimate 

summaries are based on the USFA’s “National 

Estimates Methodology for Building Fires and 

Losses” (https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/

pdf/statistics/national_estimate_methodology.

pdf). The USFA is committed to providing the 

best and most current information on the 

U.S. fire problem and, as a result, continually 

examines its data and methodology. Because 

of this commitment, changes to data collection 

strategies and estimate methodologies occur, 

causing estimates to change slightly over time. 

Previous estimates on specific issues (or similar 

issues) may have been a result of different 

methodologies or data definitions used and may 

not be directly comparable to current estimates.

National estimates for residential building intentional fires and 

losses for 2018, the most recent year for which data are available, 

are as follows:

ĵ Fires: 15,900.

ĵ Deaths: 255.

ĵ Injuries: 700.

ĵ Dollar loss: $556,500,000.

Overall trends for residential building intentional fires and losses for 

the 10-year period of 2009 to 2018 show the following:

ĵ A 9% decrease in fires.

ĵ A 12% increase in deaths. In 2017, 12 multifatality fire incidents 

(resulting in two or three deaths each) may have contributed to 

the increase in the estimate of fire deaths.

ĵ An 18% decrease in injuries. 

ĵ A 9% decrease in dollar loss. A $110,000,000 under-construction 

apartment complex fire in Waltham, Massachusetts, contributed 

to the 2017 dollar-loss peak. (Note: This overall constant dollar-loss 

trend takes inflation into account by adjusting each year’s dollar 

loss to its equivalent 2018 value.)

14,000

15,000

16,000

17,000

18,000

19,000

20,000

Trend

Fires

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Estimate of fires

Year

Residential building intentional fires

15,900

16,200 16,000

17,400

18,800

17,100

15,800 15,600 15,200

15,700

Residential building intentional fire deaths

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Estimate of deaths

Year

255 265 260

240

320

235

290

260

370

Fire deaths

Trend

320

500

550

600

650

700

750

800

850

900

Trend

Fire injuries

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Estimate of injuries

Year

Residential building intentional fire injuries

775

750

850

725

625 650 625

700 700

775

200.0

300.0

400.0

500.0

600.0

700.0

800.0

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Fire dollar loss

Trend

Estimate of dollar loss 

($millions)

Year

Residential building intentional fire dollar loss

Adjusted to 2018 dollars

687.6

563.1

537.6 509.7

409.8 416.4 424.1

756.6

556.5

582.7

National Fire Data Center

16825 S. Seton Ave.

Emmitsburg, MD 21727

www.usfa.fema.gov/data/statistics/
Residential Building Electrical Malfunction 

Fire Trends | March 2020 Fire Estimate Summary

Residential Building Electrical 

Malfunction Fire Trends (2009-2018)

Fire estimate summaries present basic data on the 

size and status of the fire problem in the United 

States as depicted through data reported to the 

U.S. Fire Administration’s (USFA’s) National Fire 

Incident Repor ting System. Each Fire Estimate 

Summary addresses the size of the specific fire or 

fire-related issue and highlights important trends in 

the data. Note: Fire estimate summaries are based 

on the USFA’s “National Estimates Methodology for 

Building Fires and Losses” (https://www.usfa.fema.

gov/downloads/pdf/statistics/national_estimate_

methodology.pdf). The USFA is committed to providing 

the best and most current information on the U.S. 

fire problem and, as a result, continually examines its 

data and methodology. Because of this commitment, 

changes to data collection strategies and estimate 

methodologies occur, causing estimates to change 

slightly over time. Previous estimates on specific 

issues (or similar issues) may have been a result of 

different methodologies or data definitions used and 

may not be directly comparable to current estimates.

National estimates for residential building electrical malfunction 

fires and losses for 2018, the most recent year for which data are 

available, are as follows:

ĵ Fires: 25,700.

ĵ Deaths: 255.

ĵ Injuries: 825.

ĵ Dollar loss: $1,227,400,000.

Overall trends for residential building electrical malfunction 

fires and losses for the 10-year period of 2009 to 2018 show the 

following:

ĵ A 2% decrease in fires.

ĵ An 8% decrease in deaths.

ĵ A 34% decrease in injuries.

ĵ An 11% decrease in dollar loss. There were 32 incidents with 

a reported dollar loss of $1,000,000 or more which may have 

contributed to the continued increase in the estimate of fire 

dollar loss in 2018. (Note: This overall constant dollar-loss trend 

takes inflation into account by adjusting each year’s dollar loss 

to its equivalent 2018 value.)

15,000

17,500

20,000

22,500

25,000

27,500

30,000

32,500

35,000

Trend

Fires

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Estimate of fires

Year

Residential building electrical malfunction fires

23,500

24,100

25,700

24,700

26,100 26,800

20,200

23,100

23,900 24,500

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Estimate of deaths

Year

Residential building electrical malfunction 

fire deaths

200

310

255

280 280

210

335 325

290

Fire deaths

Trend

280

700

800

900

1,000

1,100

1,200

1,300

Trend

Fire injuries

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Estimate of injuries

Year

Residential building electrical malfunction 

fire injuries

800 750

825

1,150

1,200

900 875

925

850

1,050

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

2018201720162015201420132012201120102009

Fire dollar loss

Trend

Estimate of dollar loss 

($billions)

Year

Residential building electrical malfunction

fire dollar loss 

Adjusted to 2018 dollars

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.2

0.9

1.0 1.0 1.0

0.9

1.1

National Fire Data Center

16825 S. Seton Ave.

Emmitsburg, MD 21727

www.usfa.fema.gov/data/statistics/
Fire Estimate Summary

Residential Building Heating Fire Trends 

(2009-2018)

Residential Building Heating Fire Trends | March 2020

Fire estimate summaries present basic data on the 

size and status of the fire problem in the United 

States as depicted through data reported to the U.S. 

Fire Administration’s (USFA’s) National Fire Incident 

Reporting System. Each Fire Estimate Summar y 

addresses the size of the specific fire or fire-related 

issue and highlights important trends in the data. 

Note: Fire estimate summaries are based on the USFA’s 

“National Estimates Methodology for Building Fires and 

Losses” (https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/

statistics/national_estimate_methodology.pdf). The 

USFA is committed to providing the best and most 

current information on the U.S. fire problem and, as a 

result, continually examines its data and methodology. 

Because of this commitment, changes to data collection 

strategies and estimate methodologies occur, causing 

estimates to change slightly over time. Previous 

estimates on specific issues (or similar issues) may 

have been a result of different methodologies or data 

definitions used and may not be directly comparable to 

current estimates.

National estimates for residential building heating fires and 

losses for 2018, the most recent year for which data are 

available, are as follows:

ĵ Fires: 35,700.

ĵ Deaths: 155.

ĵ Injuries: 575.

ĵ Dollar loss: $410,400,000.

Overall trends for residential building heating fires and losses 

for the 10-year period of 2009 to 2018 show the following:

ĵ A 30% decrease in fires.

ĵ A 15% increase in deaths. In 2014, there were 11 reported 

multifatality heating fires that contributed to the spike in 

fire deaths.

ĵ A 4% decrease in injuries.

ĵ A 5% increase in dollar loss. (Note: This overall constant 

dollar-loss trend takes inflation into account by adjusting 

each year’s dollar loss to its equivalent 2018 value.)

30,000

35,000

40,000

45,000

50,000

55,000

Trend

Fires

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Estimate of fires

Year

Residential building heating fires

35,100 33,800

35,700

50,200

46,800

43,700 45,200

49,000 47,600

41,200

100

125

150

175

200

225

250

275

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Estimate of deaths

Year

Residential building heating fire deaths

165

195

155

160

130

195 200

245

165

Fire deaths

Trend

145

450

500

550

600

650

700

750

800

850

900

Trend

Fire injuries

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Estimate of injuries

Year

Residential building heating fire injuries

500

575 575

550 550

775

725

850

575 575

200.0

250.0

300.0

350.0

400.0

450.0

500.0

550.0

600.0

650.0

700.0

2018201720162015201420132012201120102009

Estimate of dollar loss 

($millions)

Year

Residential building heating fire dollar loss 

Adjusted to 2018 dollars

327.5

410.4

352.7

374.9

460.6

553.3

640.9

415.7

361.9

Fire dollar loss

Trend

316.3

National Fire Data Center

16825 S. Seton Ave.

Emmitsburg, MD 21727

www.usfa.fema.gov/data/statistics/
Residential Building Cause Under Investigation 

Fire Trends | March 2020 Fire Estimate Summary

Residential Building Cause Under 

Investigation Fire Trends (2009-2018)

Fire estimate summaries present basic data on the 

size and status of the fire problem in the United 

States as depicted through data reported to the U.S. 

Fire Administration’s (USFA’s) National Fire Incident 

Reporting System. Each Fire Estimate Summar y 

addresses the size of the specific fire or fire-related 

issue and highlights important trends in the data. 

Note: Fire estimate summaries are based on the USFA’s 

“National Estimates Methodology for Building Fires and 

Losses” (https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/

statistics/national_estimate_methodology.pdf). The 

USFA is committed to providing the best and most 

current information on the U.S. fire problem and, as a 

result, continually examines its data and methodology. 

Because of this commitment, changes to data collection 

strategies and estimate methodologies occur, causing 

estimates to change slightly over time. Previous 

estimates on specific issues (or similar issues) may 

have been a result of different methodologies or data 

definitions used and may not be directly comparable to 

current estimates.

National estimates for residential building cause under 

investigation fires and losses for 2018, the most recent year for 

which data are available, are as follows:

ĵ Fires: 5,000.

ĵ Deaths: 375.

ĵ Injuries: 550.

ĵ Dollar loss: $480,100,000.

Overall trends for reported residential building cause under 

investigation fires and losses for the 10-year period of 2009 to 

2018 show the following:

ĵ A 49% increase in fires.

ĵ A 58% increase in deaths.

ĵ A 16% increase in injuries.

ĵ A 15% increase in dollar loss. (Note: This overall constant 

dollar-loss trend takes inflation into account by adjusting 

each year’s dollar loss to its equivalent 2018 value.)

3,000

3,250

3,500

3,750

4,000

4,250

4,500

4,750

5,000

5,250

5,500

Trend

Fires

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Estimate of fires

Year

Residential building cause under investigation fires

5,200

5,000 5,000

3,400

3,700 3,800

4,400

4,300

4,500

4,800

Residential building cause under investigation

fire deaths

150

175

200

225

250

275

300

325

350

375

400

425

450

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Estimate of deaths

Year

355

375

240

350

285 275

305

365

405

Fire deaths

Trend

230

300

350

400

450

500

550

600

Trend

Fire injuries

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Estimate of injuries

Year

Residential building cause under investigation 

fire injuries

500 500

550

450

425

500

450

375

475 475

350.0

375.0

400.0

425.0

450.0

475.0

500.0

525.0

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Estimate of dollar loss 

($millions)

Year

Residential building cause under investigation

fire dollar loss

Adjusted to 2018 dollars

469.8 480.1

440.3

394.6 398.8

471.2

381.7

415.9

463.0

405.7

Fire dollar loss

Trend

National Fire Data Center

16825 S. Seton Ave.

Emmitsburg, MD 21727

www.usfa.fema.gov/data/statistics/
Residential Building Open Flame 

Fire Trends | March 2020 Fire Estimate Summary

Residential Building Open Flame Fire 

Trends (2009-2018)

Fire estimate summaries present basic data on the 

size and status of the fire problem in the United 

States as depicted through data reported to the U.S. 

Fire Administration’s (USFA’s) National Fire Incident 

Reporting System. Each Fire Estimate Summar y 

addresses the size of the specific fire or fire-related 

issue and highlights important trends in the data. 

Note: Fire estimate summaries are based on the USFA’s 

“National Estimates Methodology for Building Fires and 

Losses” (https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/

statistics/national_estimate_methodology.pdf). The 

USFA is committed to providing the best and most 

current information on the U.S. fire problem and, as a 

result, continually examines its data and methodology. 

Because of this commitment, changes to data collection 

strategies and estimate methodologies occur, causing 

estimates to change slightly over time. Previous 

estimates on specific issues (or similar issues) may 

have been a result of different methodologies or data 

definitions used and may not be directly comparable to 

current estimates.

National estimates for residential building open-flame fires 

and losses for 2018, the most recent year for which data are 

available, are as follows:

ĵ Fires: 16,300.

ĵ Deaths: 140.

ĵ Injuries: 975.

ĵ Dollar loss: $723,400,000.

Overall trends for residential building open flame fires 

and losses for the 10-year period of 2009 to 2018 show the 

following:

ĵ A 5% decrease in fires.

ĵ A 25% decrease in deaths.

ĵ A 24% decrease in injuries.

ĵ A 21% decrease in dollar loss. (Note: This overall constant 

dollar-loss trend takes inflation into account by adjusting 

each year’s dollar loss to its equivalent 2018 value.)

15,000

15,500

16,000

16,500

17,000

17,500

18,000

18,500

19,000

Trend

Fires

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Estimate of fires

Year

Residential building open flame fires

16,000

16,300

16,200

16,800 17,000

18,200

17,500

16,800

16,400

15,800

Residential building open flame fire deaths

100

125

150

175

200

225

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Estimate of deaths

Year

180

140

170

200

175

165 160

115

145

Fire deaths

Trend

195

800

900

1,000

1,100

1,200

1,300

1,400

Trend

Fire injuries

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Estimate of injuries

Year

Residential building open flame fire injuries

900

975

1,125 1,150 1,100

1,150

1,050

975

925

1,300

400.0

500.0

600.0

700.0

800.0

900.0

1,000.0

2018201720162015201420132012201120102009

Fire dollar loss

Trend

Estimate of dollar loss 

($millions)

Year

Residential building open flame fire dollar loss

Adjusted to 2018 dollars

723.4

933.2

695.6 674.8

605.7

652.6 652.6

556.7

648.7

690.7

National Fire Data Center

16825 S. Seton Ave.

Emmitsburg, MD 21727

www.usfa.fema.gov/data/statistics/
Fire Estimate Summary

Residential Building Smoking Fire Trends 

(2009-2018)

Residential Building Smoking Fire Trends | March 2020

Fire estimate summaries present basic data on the 

size and status of the fire problem in the United 

States as depicted through data reported to the U.S. 

Fire Administration’s (USFA’s) National Fire Incident 

Reporting System. Each Fire Estimate Summar y 

addresses the size of the specific fire or fire-related 

issue and highlights important trends in the data. 

Note: Fire estimate summaries are based on the USFA’s 

“National Estimates Methodology for Building Fires and 

Losses” (https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/

statistics/national_estimate_methodology.pdf). The 

USFA is committed to providing the best and most 

current information on the U.S. fire problem and, as a 

result, continually examines its data and methodology. 

Because of this commitment, changes to data collection 

strategies and estimate methodologies occur, causing 

estimates to change slightly over time. Previous 

estimates on specific issues (or similar issues) may 

have been a result of different methodologies or data 

definitions used and may not be directly comparable to 

current estimates.

National estimates for residential building smoking fires 

and losses for 2018, the most recent year for which data are 

available, are as follows:

ĵ Fires: 7,700.

ĵ Deaths: 390.

ĵ Injuries: 700.

ĵ Dollar loss: $318,900,000.

Overall trends for residential building smoking fires and losses 

for the 10-year period of 2009 to 2018 show the following:

ĵ A 1% increase in fires.

ĵ A 4% increase in deaths. In 2018, seven reported multifatality 

fire incidents (including one resulting in six deaths) may have 

contributed to the increase in the estimate of fire deaths.

ĵ A 31% decrease in injuries.

ĵ A 23% decrease in dollar loss. (Note: This overall constant 

dollar-loss trend takes inflation into account by adjusting 

each year’s dollar loss to its equivalent 2018 value.)

5,000

6,000

7,000

8,000

9,000

10,000

11,000

Trend

Fires

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Estimate of fires

Year

Residential building smoking fires

7,700 7,700

7,800

7,000

7,600 7,800

9,600

8,000

7,600

8,000

250

275

300

325

350

375

400

425

450

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Estimate of deaths

Year

Residential building smoking fire deaths

375

300

390

360

305

330 320 325 320

Fire deaths

Trend

350

600

700

800

900

1,000

1,100

1,200

Trend

Fire injuries

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Estimate of injuries

Year

Residential building smoking fire injuries

700 700

900

1,050

800

850

775

675

750

950

200.0

250.0

300.0

350.0

400.0

450.0

2018201720162015201420132012201120102009

Fire dollar loss

Trend

Estimate of dollar loss 

($millions)

Year

Residential building smoking fire dollar loss 

Adjusted to 2018 dollars

318.9 310.4

410.5

329.5

380.7

307.8

243.9

271.0

292.4

331.0

National Fire Data Center

16825 S. Seton Ave.

Emmitsburg, MD 21727

www.usfa.fema.gov/data/statistics/