Incident-based fire statistics, by type of fire incident and type of structure¹

For more information on the concepts, methods and data contained in this table, consult the Definitions, data sources and methods National Fire Information Database (NFID) (opens new window).

The Canada total includes the jurisdictions that reported incident data to the National Fire Information Database (NFID)as follows: Ontario, Manitoba, British Columbia, and the Canadian Armed Forces 2005 to 2021; New Brunswick 2015 to 2021; Saskatchewan 2012 to 2014; Alberta 2005 to 2014; Nova Scotia 2005 to 2021; Yukon 2013 to 2021.

Type of fire refers to where the source of the fire originated. For example, if the fire originated in a single dwelling and spread to an attached garage (including any vehicles), the type of fire is classified as a structural fire.

Structural fires include a wide range of properties/assemblies of materials forming a construction for occupancy or use to serve a specific purpose. This includes but is not limited to, all types of buildings, open platforms, bridges, storage facilities, tents, air-supported structures, and grandstands.

Residential fires refers to fires occurring in structures where persons commonly reside for living purposes, either on a permanent or temporary basis. This category includes but is not limited to, single detached homes, duplexes, semi-detached homes, row/garden/town housing, apartments tenements, hotels/motels/lodges/hostels/boarding houses, dormitories, educational institutional residences, camp sites/RV parks, mobile/trailer parks and residential homes with an attached business (up to 3 stories).

Industrial refers to structures where raw materials are transformed info new products and the assembly of component parts of manufactured products in considered industrial. Examples of industrial structures include the following: manufacturing/processing of chemicals, petroleum, paint and plastic; wood and furniture manufacturers; metal, electrical equipment and appliance manufacturers; food processing facilities; tobacco manufacturers; textile, manufacturers of textiles, clothing and footwear; and vehicle and equipment manufacturers.

Assembly fires refers structures for the gathering of persons for civic, political, travel, religious, social education or recreational purposes. Such property is characterized by the presence or potential presence of crowds, with attendant panic hazard. Included in this category, but not limited to, are auditoriums/theatres, arenas, cultural centres, amusement parks, stadiums, educational institutions, churches, funeral parlours, recreation/sports facilities, sports and social clubs, and food or beverage establishments.

Mercantile refers to the occupancy or use of a building or part thereof for the displaying or selling of retail goods, wares or merchandise. Examples of mercantile structures include retail stores of any type (e.g., clothing, electronics, furniture/appliance, pharmacies, department stores, variety and specialty shops, etc.), repair shops, laundromats, dry cleaners, and vehicle sales and services.

Business use/personal service refers to the occupancy or use of a building or part thereof for the transaction of business or the rendering or receiving of professional or personal services. Examples of businesses and services included in this category are office buildings, civic, federal or provincial government offices, banks, post offices, barber/hairdressing establishments, tanning salons, and massage parlours.

Institutional refers to properties for medical treatment, for care of persons suffering from illness, disease or infirmity, for the care of children and for the care of convalescents or aged persons and for penal or corrective purposes. Institutional buildings ordinarily provide sleeping facilities for the occupants, and are principally used by persons whose actions are supervised or restrained. Examples of institutional structures are as follows: prisons/penitentiaries, jails, detention centres, correctional facilities, reformatories, hospitals, medical centres/clinics, mental health hospitals, and licensed care facilities.

Storage property refers to property characterized by the presence of relatively small numbers of persons in proportion to the area. Storage includes all buildings, structures or areas utilized primarily for the storage or sheltering of goods, merchandise, products, vehicles or animals, including servicing, processing or repair operations.

Other structure type includes mostly very specialized structure not elsewhere classified such as laboratories, farm facilities, utilities (e.g., power generating plants, gas manufacturing plants), communications centres (e.g., radio, radar sites, police/fire/emergency communications centres), and nucleonics sites.

Vehicle fires include a wide range of motorized vehicles including, but not limited to passenger vehicles (other than a motor home), trucks, sport utility vehicles, buses, freight or transport vehicles, rail vehicles, farm equipment, water vehicles (e.g., boats, barges, hovercraft), and aircraft. Mobile properties used a structure are excluded (e.g., mobile homes, motor homes, camping trailers).

Outdoor fires refers to fires involving vegetation, grass, brush, crops, leaves and other outdoor properties not involving a structure or vehicle.