Abstract: The authors consider the fire case as an independent economic sector, urban and rural improvement in Kursk province in the second half of the XIX century Notes that despite the relatively good material and technical provision of fire protection, the number of fires did not decrease compared with the first half of the nineteenth century, and the damage from the largest of them grew. It is revealed that the main reason for this was the widespread violation of the requirements of the Construction Charter in a continuous urban sprawl. The emphasis is on the need to establish binding rules on the prevention of all types of fires and struggle with them, the implementation of which should be the prerogative of local governments. Methodological basis of work was the principles of historicism and scientific objectivity. Specific research methods were used: historical andcomparative, problem-chronological and analytical. The paper shows that in the second half of the nineteenth century in Kursk province, despite the difficulties, has been paid close attention to the development and modernization of the firefighting business as important factor of socio-economic development of the region. The study of this experience deserves great attention in the current environment and implementation of effective fire prevention measures and the development of appropriate financial mechanisms for their implementation.