Youth Firesetting Prevention and Intervention Program

Who can make a referral or obtain information? 

• Parent or Legal Guardian 
• Court Advocate
• Fire Department
• Fire Investigators
• Judge Mandate
• Juvenile Defense Attorney
• Juvenile Prosecution Team
• Police Department
• School Officials
• School Resource Officer (SRO)

To schedule an appointment or learn more about our program, please contact Mesa Fire and Medical Fire Prevention Division via our confidential email at MesaYFSI@MesaAZ.gov. All information discussed and provided in our program is confidential.

Youth play with fire for a variety of reasons. By determining the motivation for firesetting, we can best determine how to deal with it.

There are five basic classifications: 

• Curiosity/Experimentation: Most youth who play with fire (about 70%) are in this group. They are typically younger and are curious about fire. The opportunity exists because the child can access fire tools and is not supervised during the incident.
• Delinquent Behavior: Sometimes, kids will light a fire as a prank or dare. Sometimes, it's to cover up another crime. Most youths in this group, typically adolescents, don't realize they are breaking the law and could go to jail.
• Reactionary: If a youth is upset about something and not good at expressing themselves, they may use fire to let grown-ups know they need help. Their firesetting is in reaction to a problem, divorce, family difficulties, relocating, a death, or problems at school or with friends.
• Strategic Firesetting: In some cases, Youth will escalate to deliberate firesetting, with no regard for life or property (including their own life). They know what they are doing is wrong and understand the consequences. They may use fire for retaliation or to cover up a significant crime.
• Pathological Firesetting: This type of firesetting is rare and may be connected to a mental disorder or problem. It may occur for obscure reasons not easily understood by those other than mental health professionals.

Myth: It is usual for children to play with fire.
Fact: While curiosity about fire is common, use without a parent's approval or knowledge is dangerous to the child and anyone around them.

Myth: If you take a youth to the burn unit to see burn victims, they will stop playing with fire.
 Fact: Going to the burn unit only instills fear and does not teach the youth about fire and fire safety. More importantly, we need to be sensitive to burn survivors who are trying to recover (emotionally and physically) from their burns, and we should not utilize survivors as a course of punitive action.

Myth: Put a child in the back of a police car or have a firefighter talk sternly to them, and they will be so scared they won't ever do it again (AKA - "Scared Straight").
 Fact: Scare tactics don't get to the root of the problem, and the youth typically continue to set fires.

Myth: It is a phase the child will grow out of.
Fact: It is not a phase. It is dangerous behavior. You cannot afford to wait for fire behavior to change. It only takes one match to cause severe injury, death, and destruction.

Myth: Some youths are obsessed with fire.
Fact: Very few youths are obsessed or would be considered pyromaniacs. There is almost always a reason behind the behavior.

Set clear ground rules. Teach Youth . . .

• The safe and proper ways to use fire. Make sure they understand that only a responsible grown-up should use it.
• What to do if they are around other kids who play with fire. They need to get away and tell a grown-up. This can happen at home, while they are out playing, or at school.
• Not to be afraid to ask for help.
• About taking accountability for their own actions.

Take Action

• Keep matches and lighters out of the sight and reach of youth. Even toddlers can use lighters and matches to start a fire.
• Do a match and lighter round-up. Then, be sure to take all the matches and lighters and put them in a safe place.
  • What's a safe place? You may think your purse is a safe place, but it is one of the first places Youth go to get matches and lighters.
  • Ask your youth where all the matches and lighters are in your home. You will be surprised to learn what they know. 
• Youth need supervision. If they have ignition devices (matches and lighters) and the opportunity, Youth will set fires. Be aware of what your Youth are doing and whom they are playing with.
• Install and maintain smoke detectors in your home. Smoke detectors should be located on every level, outside of bedrooms, and inside bedrooms.
• Have an escape plan. If there is a fire, everyone should know how to get out of the house.