Fires and burn injuries hurt thousands in California every year. You or a loved one may be exposed to flames in a fiery car accident on Interstate 5 or Highway 99. You could suffer burns in a house fire started by a faulty appliance or heater in your home. It may be a California wildfire and a frantic evacuation that poses the risk.
Fire safety may be the last thing on your mind at the end of a long day. But our personal injury lawyers at Maison Law wanted to highlight California fire statistics and the frightening injuries that can result, as a reminder of the actions we can take to reduce the likelihood of burns and fatalities.
2026 California Fire Statistics
There are a lot of things to see and do in California, including a lot of natural beauty. But these benefits also come with unique risks for residents and visitors. The threat of a burn injury is present in the home, along boulevards, at work, and in any local store or restaurant.
And, unfortunately, these hazards put California as one of the worst states for fire incidents and deaths each year.
In 2025, the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) reported 113 fatalities due to residential fires in California. Over the past five years (2021-2025), California has averaged around 117 fatalities due to fires annually.
Source: USFA
The USFA compiles home fire data by combing through news articles on home fires each week across California and in every state. The figures focus on fires at any residential property, including hotel fires, RV fires, and campus dorm fires.
- 2026 has already seen at least one serious dorm fire at a California school. The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that dozens of students were cleared out of 16 units at San Diego State due to a fire in early March. Investigators say it was caused by an overheated lithium-ion battery. Two students suffered smoke inhalation, and another student suffered minor burns.
California Compared to the U.S. in Fire Fatalities
California ranks in the top 5 among other states in fire deaths. Pennsylvania was atop the list in 2025 with at least 152 fire fatalities reported by USFA. California ranked 4th with its 113 tragic deaths.
Source: USFA
According to USFA figures, the U.S. has averaged around 2,186 tragic home fire fatalities over the past five years (2021-2025).
Source: USFA
- The National Safety Council (NSC) adds that in 2024, there were 11,780 people injured in fires in the U.S. Additionally, a tragic 62 firefighter deaths were recorded.
Burn Injury Statistics
A California house fire, a car fire, or even a wildfire can do serious harm to someone’s skin, eyes, and the delicate tissue in the airways and lungs.
The American Burn Association (ABA) released this data on how many people suffer burns in the U.S.
- S. hospitals admit an average of 29,165 burn victims per year
- Around 32% of those patients have suffered deep burns and require surgery without prolonged ventilation
- Admissions for burn injuries peak from May to August
- The median age for pediatric burn patients is 3-years-old
- 58% of pediatric burns are caused by scalds
There are ways to suffer burns other than exposure to fire and smoke. A harsh chemical left out in a store or in the workplace can cause chemical burns to the skin and damage to the lungs if fumes are inhaled. A faulty electrical cord can inflict electrical burns on victims. Steam released from a home appliance or machinery on a job site can also cause severe burns.
The American Burn Association (ABA) looked at figures from burn cases in California and across the nation over a 10-year span. They determined that burns from flames and steam were responsible for the most trips to the hospital.
Source: ABA
The ABA also combed over data to determine where these injuries were occurring the most. Over ten years of data demonstrated that burn victims are far more likely to be hurt while at home than in any other location.
Source: ABA
California Burn Center Patients
Sadly, children and the elderly can be some of the most vulnerable to severe burn injuries. Children don’t always have the judgment to avoid fire hazards, and they can also create their own danger when they are allowed to play with matches or with electrical sockets.
The elderly can have less skin sensitivity and may not immediately notice flames nearby. They could also be slower to escape a burning house.
The USFA reports that 14 victims who lost their lives in California in 2025 were 14 years old and under. 20 victims were documented as being 65 or older. These sad facts only make it all the more important to remove fire hazards in our California homes and work towards faster response times when our loved ones suffer burns.
The American Burn Association (ABA) lists at least 13 Burn Centers serving burn patients across California. Most of these specialized units serve all ages, but some focus on care for children who have been burned.
The burn units in California include UC San Diego Health Regional Burn Center. Their staff treats approximately 450 patients a year, plus hundreds more as outpatients. The Bothin Burn Center at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital in San Francisco treats more than 500 patients a year.
For more information on what burn centers like the Southern California Regional Burn Center in Los Angeles do and where you can find them, please visit our informational page here.
A Safer 2026 for California Residents at Risk of Burn Injuries
Burn injury safety must be a priority everywhere you go. Businesses, landlords, and employers are all legally responsible for keeping you protected from fires and harsh chemical exposure. When you suffer burns and face a challenging recovery, you shouldn’t have to worry about how those enormous hospital bills will get paid.
If you or a loved one is ever burned by a fire, chemical, or electrical hazard due to an individual’s or a business’s negligence, please explore your legal options. Maison Law offers a free consultation to all victims so they can better understand the benefits available to them. A California Burn Injury Attorney may be able to help you earn much more for your recovery.
