The exact reasons that children play with fire are varied and complex. Some children play with fire because they are curious or bored. Others misuse fire because they struggle with problems and emotions they might not understand. Children often do not consider or grasp the potential danger to themselves or others. They do not know how an entire community can be affected by their misuse of fire. 

Our Mission

Our mission at South Metro Fire is to provide education and resources to assist families with this concerning behavior. Our risk assessment and education process aims to offer insights into the causes, warning signs, and effective prevention strategies associated with youth firesetting behaviors. 

Whether you're a concerned parent, educator, mental health professional, or community member, our resources are designed to help identify, intervene, and educate children about the dangers and consequences of youth fire setting. 

Children misusing fire is hazardous and costly. Each year, there are thousands of fires and fire-related injuries, along with millions of dollars in property damage, that occur as a result of youth set fires: 

• Burns and fires are a leading cause of accidental death in the home for children under the age of 14.
• Approximately 40% of the fires that kill young children are started by children playing with fire. 
• Arson has the highest rate of youth involvement in any crdefdime, with 46% of all arson arrests in the U.S. committed by children under the age of 18. 
• Youth-set fires result in over 56,000 fires, 900 injuries, 110 deaths, and $300 million in direct property damages annually.

Please remember, that without proper intervention, fire misuse is likely to continue!

Referrals

Our program is designed for children between the ages of 8 and 18 years of age. We accept referrals from all the following:

• Parents/ Guardians/ Caregivers
• Juvenile Justice and Courts
• Outside Fire Agencies
• Schools (Principals, Teachers, Coaches, School Resource Officers, Counselors)
• Social Services and Mental Health Agencies
• Any Adult Who Works with Youth

If your child is under the age of 8, please contact one of our specialists for additional information.

Please email YFIP@southmetro.org for referral information and questions about the program.

School Reporting

A fire set by a youth at school is always serious, no matter how small or how quickly it was extinguished.

Please remember that all schools are required to report any fire, or misuse of fire, on school property. This is required by Colorado State Law (C.R.S) and the International Fire Code (IFC). 

Please do NOT move or destroy anything related to the fire. This includes anything charred or any items used to start the fire. These items are physical evidence and will be necessary for investigators to determine cause and origin of the fire. 

Please contact South Metro Fire Rescue through Dispatch by calling 720-258-8911. Explain the situation and ask to be put into contact with the on-duty investigator. The on-duty fire investigator will respond to the school and provide assistance.