NFPA estimates that Christmas trees, both natural and artificial, were the item first ignited in an estimated average of 260 reported home structure fires per year during 2004-2008. These fires caused an estimated average of 12 civilian deaths, 24 civilian injuries, and $16.4 million in direct property damage per year. These estimates are based on data from the U.S. Fire Administration's (USFA's) National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) and the National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA's) annual fire department experience survey.