- Author
- Badger, S. G.
- Title
- Large-Loss Fires in the United States 2008.
- Coporate
- National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA
- Report
- LLS08, November 2009, 26 p.
- Keywords
- fire losses | fire statistics | wildland fires | forest fires | explosions | fire detection systems | fire suppression | damage | costs | classifications | case histories
- Abstract
- For the fifth time in the past 10 years, the largest loss associated with fires and explosions occurred in wildlands, and for the second year in a row, it happened in Southern California. In mid-November, several wildfires broke out within a three-day period, eventually becoming known as the Tea Fire, the Sayre Fire, and the Freeway Fire complexes. These fires, which resulted in an estimated $800 million in property damage, are treated collectively in this study as a single incident, since they occurred in an area that was experiencing a period of drought, with high temperatures, low humidity, and high winds. The Tea Fire broke out at 5:50 p.m. on a Thursday afternoon, after a group of young adults had a campfire the night before. The group told investigators that the fire was out when they left. High winds during the next day brought the embers back to life, eventually developing into a 1,940- acre (785-hectare) wildfire that destroyed more than 200 residential structures and damaged many more. The Sayre Fire broke out on Friday and burned through a manufactured home park, destroying 480 of the 600 homes. It ultimately burned 11,262 acres (4,558 hectares) and destroyed 489 residential structures, 10 commercial properties, and 104 out buildings, and damaged many more. The cause was not determined. The Freeway Fire broke out on Saturday, burned through 30,305 acres (12,264 hectares), destroyed 187 residential and 2 commercial properties, as well as 11 outbuildings, and damaged 127 residential properties, 2 commercial properties, and 32 outbuildings. The cause of this fire was also listed as undetermined. Chaparral, oak, eucalyptus groves, sagebrush, and grass, as well as more than 1,000 structures, were the major fuels contributing to the fires. During these fires, unified commands were set up. Firefighters from all over the country, 3,700 in all, battled not only these fires, but Santa Ana winds of above hurricane force (above 75 miles, or 120 kilometers, per hour), with very high temperatures. The fires were mostly under control or contained by November 22. Residents evacuated more than 60,000 homes during the fires. More than 30 injuries were reported; at least 19 of the victims were firefighters. NFPA reports each year on large-loss fire and explosion losses in the United States, now defined as any event that results in property damage of at least $10 million. In 2008, fire departments responded to an estimated 1,451,500 fires. These fires caused an estimated loss of $15.5 billion. Many of the fires were small or resulted in little or no reported property damage. However, 35 fires resulted in losses of $10 million or more each. With direct property losses totaling over $2.34 billion, these 35 fires killed 15 civilians and injured 60 civilians and 32 firefighters. Although these fires accounted for only 0.002 percent of the estimated number of fires in 2008, they accounted for 15.3 percent of the total estimated dollar loss.