Fire Safety Article

Wildfire Arson

Arson is a serious and deadly crime. Every year, deliberately set fires kill over 300 people and cause millions of dollars in property losses. According to the National Fire Protection Association, in 2003 there were an estimated 37,000 arson-caused structure fires.

State Fire Marshal Allen Lorenz noted that arson and other uncontrolled wildland fires pose a serious threat to lives, property and natural resources in Montana's rural and suburban communities.

According to Lorenz, most arson fires are started outdoors. Property owners should take the following steps to make it harder for an arsonist to start a fire and for an outdoor fire to spread to a building.

• Keep leaves, firewood, overgrown brush and other combustibles away from buildings.
• Move fuel tanks away from buildings.
• Maintain an adequate outside water supply and power source for water pumping equipment, and make sure there is adequate access for firefighters.
• Use fire-resistant or noncombustible building materials.
• Support the adoption of local wildland-urban interface building codes and weed abatement ordinances for structures built near wooded areas.

Report suspicious activity near houses or other buildings to local law enforcement. If you suspect that an arson crime has been committed, contact your local fire or law enforcement agency, or the State Fire Marshal's Office.

Let's work together to stop arson and prevent fires.