Firesetting by children is a problem that needs immediate attention. In Washington State, children with access to ignition devices set fires that took 21 lives during 1998-2003. The victims of these fires are the children themselves and their family members. Other victims of intentionally set fires include schools and wildlands. Gaining an understanding of children and firesetting will help prevent it.

The Office of the State Fire Marshal has formed a multi-disciplinary state juvenile firesetter intervention coalition. The coalition will be working collectively to expand and enhance youth firesetting intervention programs across the state of Washington. Through a project by the National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) valuable data is being gathered to assist in learning more about the complexities that exist with firesetting behavior.