Updated: Tuesday, December 7, 1999 - 5 AM
Overall Fire Deaths Since 1977
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Firehouse.Com News
Firefighter deaths in the United States have been on a steady decline in the last 20 years, although
the number of firefighter deaths reported in 1999 will rise above 100 for the first
time since 1994 following the Worcester tragedy.
In July 1994, 14 firefighters were killed in the Storm King Mountain
wildfire, the largest single loss of firefighters this decade. The Worcester
fire would rank second in the 90's.
The following shows the number of fires and related deaths in a given year,
between 1977 and 1998.
All but firefighter deaths are estimates of losses reported
to fire departments, based on the National Fire Protection
Association's annual National Fire Experience Survey, as compiled
by the Associated Press.
| Year | Fires | Civilian Deaths | Firefighter Deaths |
| 1977 | 3,264,000 | 7,395 | 157 |
| 1978 | 2,817,500 | 7,710 | 172 |
| 1979 | 2,845,500 | 7,575 | 125 |
| 1980 | 2,988,000 | 6,505 | 138 |
| 1981 | 2,893,500 | 6,700 | 136 |
| 1982 | 2,538,000 | 6,020 | 127 |
| 1983 | 2,326,500 | 5,920 | 113 |
| 1984 | 2,343,000 | 5,240 | 119 |
| 1985 | 2,371,000 | 6,185 | 128 |
| 1986 | 2,271,500 | 5,850 | 120 |
| 1987 | 2,330,000 | 5,810 | 131 |
| 1988 | 2,436,500 | 6,215 | 136 |
| 1989 | 2,115,000 | 5,410 | 118 |
| 1990 | 2,019,000 | 5,195 | 107 |
| 1991 | 2,041,500 | 4,465 | 108 |
| 1992 | 1,964,500 | 4,730 | 75 |
| 1993 | 1,952,500 | 4,635 | 78 |
| 1994 | 2,054,500 | 4,275 | 104 |
| 1995 | 1,965,500 | 4,585 | 97 |
| 1996 | 1,975,000 | 4,990 | 96 |
| 1997 | 1,795,000 | 4,050 | 97 |
| 1998 | 1,755,500 | 4,035 | 91 |
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