U.S. Fire Administration Releases Highway Vehicle Fires Report

The U.S. Fire Administration recently issued a special report examining the characteristics of highway vehicle fires. The report, Highway Vehicle Fires (2008-2010), was developed by USFA’s National Fire Data Center and is based on 2008 to 2010 data from the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS).

According to the report:

• Approximately one in seven fires responded to by fire departments across the nation is a highway vehicle fire. This does not include the tens of thousands of fire department responses to highway vehicle accident sites.
• Unintentional action (32 percent) was the leading cause of highway vehicle fires.
• Eighty-six percent of highway vehicle fires occurred in passenger vehicles.
• Sixty-one percent of highway vehicle fires and 35 percent of fatal highway vehicle fires originated in the engine, running gear, or wheel area of the vehicle.
• The leading factor contributing to the ignition of highway vehicle fires was mechanical failure (44 percent).
• Insulation around electrical wiring (28 percent) and flammable liquids in the engine area (18 percent) were the most common items first ignited in highway vehicle fires.

To access the complete report, please visit:

USFA: Highway Vehicle Fires (2008–2010) (January 2013)

Background information:

National Fire Incident Reporting System

U.S. Fire Administration