Incident-based fire statistics, by source of ignition and act or omission¹

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).

Source of ignition refers to the actual equipment, device or item which brings about ignition. The following categories have been used to present the source of fire: cooking equipment, heating equipment, appliances and household equipment, electrical distribution equipment, other electrical equipment, smoker's material and open flame, exposure fire, no igniting object, or other/unknown.

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.

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.

Act or omission refers to the set of circumstances precipitated by human acts (something that was done) or human omissions to act (something that was not done) that contributed to the onset of the fire incident. The purpose of this classification is to indicate these acts or omissions, be they deliberate or negligent. It includes such actions as incendiary acts and negligent use of fuel sources, equipment or materials. It also includes such factors as mechanical failures which may have resulted from human omissions through lack of maintenance, or through design, construction or installation deficiencies.

Incendiary act refers to deliberate acts of arson caused by individuals or groups of persons during riots, civil disturbances, acts of vandalism or mischief. This category also includes suspicious fires.

Misuse of source of ignition refers to primarily accidents involving the source of ignition such things as the misuse/improper extinguishment of smokers' material, inadequate control of open fires, playing with a source of ignition, welding or using a torch too close to a flammable object, etc.

Misuse of material ignited refers to the improper use/handling or storage of the material that caught fire, such as an accidental fuel spill, overheating of cooking oil, grease or wax, placing a combustible too close to heat, etc.

Mechanical/electrical failure/malfunction refers to the omission to maintain mechanical or electrical equipment properly, which resulted in: a part to fail, leak or break; or an automatic control failure; or a manual control failure; or an electrical short circuit; or for a part to wear out; or an engine backfire; or some other sort of mechanical/electrical failure or malfunction.

Construction, design or installation deficiency refers to construction, design deficiencies of the structure in general. This category also includes the installation of materials too close to a combustible, over fusing, and suspected faulty wiring.

Misuse of equipment includes but is not limited to the following: over-fuelling of equipment, a log rolling out of a fireplace or wood burning oven, screen not closed, flying embers, lack of maintenance, and leaving equipment unattended.

Human failing refers to instances where the onset of the fire was related to circumstances related to a person or persons. It includes instances where the act or omission was due to a person/persons: being asleep or fatigued at the time of the fire; having temporary loss of judgement; having a physical or mental disability; being impaired by alcohol, drugs or medication; having an accident; being distracted or preoccupied. It also includes factors of age where an infant, young child or elderly person was unattended or unsupervised.