Although there were some tiny gains, the National Fire Protection Association’s annual study reports no significant improvements in fire losses in the United States in 2004 – and even some disappointing losses.

“Last year was pretty consistent with previous years,” summed up Marty Ahrens, manager of fire analysis services for the NFPA. “Of course we don’t expect huge changes from year to year, and it’s important to remember these are estimates…But it looks like we still have the same problems – they haven’t gone away.”

The total fire death toll decreased slightly by 0.6% from 2003, but fire deaths in homes increased slightly, by 1.4%.

Fires killed 3,900 people last year, close to the recent annual average of 4,000 fatalities. And -- just as in previous years -- most of those fatalities occurred in homes (82%).

The NFPA’s "Fire Loss in the United States During 2004" abridged report also reported that in 2004:

• Public fire departments responded to 1,550,500 fires, a 2.2% decrease over the previous year.



• 17,785 people were injured in fire, a slight decrease of 1.4%.



• As with fire deaths, most reported fire injuries occurred in homes (77%), or about 13,700 injuries.



• Property damage from fires decreased by 20.2% to about $9.8 billion.The NFPA said this sharp decrease was largely because of the absence of any fires as large as the two southern California wildfires of 2003, which together produced losses of $2 billion.



• Of the 2004 total property damage, about $8.2 billon occurred in structure fires and $5.8 billion occurred in homes.



• Structure fires decreased slightly by 1.3% to 526,000.



• Vehicle fires were down 6.8% from last year to 266,500 fires, but intentionally-set vehicle fires rose 18% in 2004 over the previous year, causing $165 million in property damage, a 25% increase. Ahrens said the increase was not significant because this type of vehicle fires was below average in 2003.



• 510 people died in apartment fires, a substantial increase of 24.4% over 2003. Ahrens said the increase was not statistically significant because 2002 and 2003 were especially low in this category.
  

Ahrens said the NFPA plans to post the full report on fire losses -- including detailed analysis of regional data -- in September. In the meantime, fire departments can see how they stack up with the national statistics in the abridged report. Departments can also use the data to prepare for Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 9-15.