The Costa Mesa Fire and Rescue Department would like to remind residents that May 1 through May 7 is National Arson Awareness Week.

Each year for National Arson Awareness Week, the U.S. Fire Administration gathers and shares information to raise awareness of arson or youth fire setting and provide individuals with strategies to combat these problems in their community.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, nationwide in 2013 there were 1,240,000 fires, resulting in 3,240 deaths, 15,925 injuries and $11.5 billion in property loss.

More than half a million wildfires are set by arsonists each year in the U.S., resulting in over $3 billion in damages, according to the fire administration.

This year’s National Arson Awareness Week theme is “Prevent Wildfire Arson – Spread the Facts Not the Fire.”

Click here for more information on how the public can protect itself and guard against wildfire arson.