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Type: Journal Article
Author(s): D. S. Thomas; D. T. Butry
Publication Date: 2012

Each year, wildland fires threaten structures and occupants of the wildland urban interface (WUI). Currently, wildfire ignition estimates largely exclude ignitions originating within municipal jurisdictions, which contain the majority of the US population. The objective of this article is to provide national estimates and trends of the WUI fire problem; in particular, we analyze the US Fire Administration's National Fire Incident Reporting System fire incident data from 2002 to 2006 reported by local municipal fire departments across the United States. We estimate that, on average, the burning of wildland fuels is associated with 116,971 fires annually. Each year, these fires are responsible for, on average, 15 civilian (nonfire service) fatalities, 88 civilian injuries, and $160 million in direct property losses. These damages include losses to 599 residential structures, 649 nonresidential structures, and 829 vehicles (per year). Based on the value of a statistical life ($8.75 million) and statistical injury ($189 thousand), we find that the economic value of fatalities and injuries averaged $148 million annually. Thus, the losses associated with fires occurring on municipal lands total on average $308 million annually over this time period. © 2012 by the Society of American Foresters. Abstract reproduced by permission.

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Citation: Thomas, D. S., and D. T. Butry. 2012. Wildland Fires within Municipal Jurisdictions. Journal of Forestry, v. 110, no. 1, p. 34-41. 10.5849/jof.10-024.

Cataloging Information

Regions:
Alaska    California    Eastern    Great Basin    Hawaii    Northern Rockies    Northwest    Rocky Mountain    Southern    Southwest    National
Keywords:
  • fire damage (property)
  • fire frequency
  • fire injuries (humans)
  • fire management
  • fire suppression
  • forest management
  • land management
  • rate of spread
  • wildfire
  • wildfires
  • wildland
Tall Timbers Record Number: 27520Location Status: In-fileCall Number: Journals - JAbstract Status: Okay, Fair use, Reproduced by permission
Record Last Modified:
Record Maintained By: FRAMES Staff (https://www.frames.gov/contact)
FRAMES Record Number: 50818

This bibliographic record was either created or modified by Tall Timbers and is provided without charge to promote research and education in Fire Ecology. The E.V. Komarek Fire Ecology Database is the intellectual property of Tall Timbers.