NFPA: CA Wildfires Caused 40% of U.S. Major Fire Loss in 2008
The story of property loss to major fires in the United States begins and ends in California.
That's the sobering conclusion to emerge from a new study on 2008's major fires by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
In its annual report on Large Loss Fires in the United States, NFPA says that California wildland fires caused a collective property loss of nearly $950 million in 2008. The total national property loss to major fires was roughly $2.4 billion.
Do the math and a sobering conclusion emerges: 40 cents of every dollar of major fire loss in the US in 2008 occurred in the California wildlands.
"For those of us who live California's extreme fire risk every day, these numbers aren't a surprise," said CPF President Lou Paulson. "The human and economic costs of of catastrophic fire have become a constant, and command a serious response from our state's leaders."
California Professional Firefighters has endorsed and advocated for the Emergency Response Initiative, mobilizing a united fire service in support of this common-sense effort to bolster the state's mutual aid system. The measure failed passage in the Legislature after falling victim to late-night political maneuvering.
"Our local and state fire agencies are on the front lines, not only in fires but earthquakes, floods and other natural and human-caused disasters," noted Paulson. "Now more than ever, we need insure that the resources are there to keep our citizens safe."
In addition to the losses to wildland fires, another $38 million in property loss occurred in California as a result of the 2008 Universal Studios fire.
For more information and to download the full report, CLICK HERE.