Research A January 2021 fire at an apartment building under construction in Las Vegas resulted in estimated losses of $35 million. Investigators determined the blaze was the result of arson. REPORT SUMMARY Large-Loss Fires and Explosions in the United States in 2021 LOSSES FROM THESE FIRES EXPERIENCED A SHARP DROP COMPARED TO THE YEAR BEFORE By Stephen G. Badger 70 | NFPA JOURNAL * SUMMER 2023 L arge-loss fires are an important part of the nation's overall fire picture. These fires are defined as fires or explosions that resulted in property damage of at least $10 million. In 2021, there were 24 large-loss fires and explosions resulting in an estimated $1.54 billion in direct property damage and losses. The costliest fire incident in 2021, with a loss of $678 million, was a wildland/urban interface fire in Colorado known as the Marshall Fire. This fire burned more than 6,000 acres and AP PHOTO/MICHAEL QUINE