This year’s Arson Awareness Week, sponsored by the United States Fire Administration (USFA) will take place from May 2-8.  The goal for this year is to focus attention on the horrific crime of arson and provide communities with tools and strategies to combat arson in their neighborhoods, businesses, schools, and places of worship.

According to the USFA’s National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) data and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), an estimated average of 316,600 intentional fires are reported to fire departments in the United States each year causing injuries to 7,825 firefighters and civilians. In 2006, ten firefighters died as a result of arson. In addition to needless injury and death, an estimated $1.1 billion in direct property loss occurs annually.

Communities can establish an Arson Watch Program to help protect their homes and families from arson. For more information on how to start a program like this, please visit USFA’s Community Arson Prevention page.