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Cataloging Information
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Topic(s):
Fire Behavior
Data Evaluation or Data Analysis for Fire Modeling
Fire Effects
Data Evaluation or Data Analysis for Fire Modeling
Fire Effects
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NRFSN number:
24727
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FRAMES RCS number:
66014
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Record updated:
While previously disputed as a plausible ignition source, civilian firearms use has emerged as a wildfire cause of concern in the United States (US). The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) included it as a newly recognized fire cause in the wildfire-reporting data standard approved in 2020. Here we report on shooting-caused wildfire ignitions using data mapped over to the new NWCG cause standard from historical wildfire records spanning 1992–2018. This is the first time that data on shooting-related fires have been assembled and summarized for the US, with the intention of raising awareness concerning this relatively small but impactful cause of preventable wildfires.
Citation
Short, Karen C.; Finney, Mark A. 2022. Agency records of wildfires caused by firearms use in the United States. Fire Safety Journal 131:103622. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.firesaf.2022.103622