Fire Data and Statistics

Information about fire and burn data and statistics in Massachusetts.

The DFS Fire Safety Division gathers data submitted by local fire departments to learn what causes fires and burns, determine if problems are getting better or worse, and develop appropriate prevention plans.

NERIS is Here!

Throughout 2025, fire data reporting in the United States transitioned to the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS). NERIS replaced the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) and our Massachusetts system, MFIRS.

DFS offers ongoing support to Massachusetts fire departments during this process. Read more at NERIS for Massachusetts Fire Departments.

Annual Fire Fact Sheets and Reports

Massachusetts law requires that all fires and explosions that cause injuries or property damage be reported to the State Fire Marshal's office. Local fire departments now use NERIS to meet this requirement. The DFS Fire Safety Division analyzes and organizes this data to support fire safety. 

Annual Fact Sheets summarize Massachusetts' annual fire incidents on a single page.

Annual Reports include a complete set of Massachusetts fire statistics for the year. 

Executive Summaries provide a summary of Massachusetts fire statistics for the year.

Annual County Data provides statistical data by county.

Annual Suffolk County Data. Beginning in 2014, this data was included in the County Data.

For data requests or copies of older reports, contact the Fire Data Unit at (978) 567-3382.

Massachusetts Burn Injury Reporting System (MBIRS)

The Massachusetts Burn Injury Reporting System (MBIRS) helps to identify arsonists and prevent burns. During arson, the perpetrator may burn themselves. They may seek treatment far from the crime scene in an attempt to avoid detection. MBIRS is also a powerful tool for burn prevention. MBIRS data is used to produce an annual report on the causes of burns that can identify trends and patterns. The report is shared with hospitals and injury prevention professionals.

Health care providers must report burns that cover 5% or more of a person's body surface. You can report by phone or by Fax.

About MBIRS and MBIRS Reporting is a pamphlet that explains MBIRS reporting for hospital staff.

For forms or questions about reporting, physicians and hospitals can contact the Fire Data Unit at (978) 567-3382.

MBIRS Annual Reports

The Massachusetts Burn Injury Reporting System (M-BIRS) is a joint program between the Mass. Department of Public Health and the Department of Fire Services. M-BIRS is a tool for law enforcement. It is also a powerful injury prevention tool for health educators and policy makers.

For fire data requests or copies of older reports, contact the Fire Data Unit at (978) 567-3382.

Contact

Fax

Fire Data Unit Fax & M-BIRS Reporting Fax 978-567-3199

Address

1 State Road, Stow, MA 01775

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