Annual area burnt by wildfires in France
France: Annual area burnt by wildfires was 108,107 hectares in 2026. ◆ Volatile
Annual area burnt by wildfires in France, 2012–2026
Source: Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
In 2026, annual area burnt by wildfires in France stood at 108,107 hectares. That is the highest value across all 15 years on record.
The figure is up 282.2% on the previous year and up 259.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual area burnt by wildfires in France peaked at 108,107 hectares in 2026 and was at its lowest, 11,100 hectares, in 2018.
France ranks 68th of 248 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Annual area burnt by wildfires in France, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 54,679 hectares | — |
| 2013 | 12,392 hectares | -77.3% |
| 2014 | 40,871 hectares | +229.8% |
| 2015 | 33,160 hectares | -18.9% |
| 2016 | 30,037 hectares | -9.4% |
| 2017 | 72,976 hectares | +143.0% |
| 2018 | 11,100 hectares | -84.8% |
| 2019 | 92,497 hectares | +733.3% |
| 2020 | 31,365 hectares | -66.1% |
| 2021 | 37,118 hectares | +18.3% |
| 2022 | 96,205 hectares | +159.2% |
| 2023 | 34,971 hectares | -63.6% |
| 2024 | 12,644 hectares | -63.8% |
| 2025 | 28,288 hectares | +123.7% |
| 2026 | 108,107 hectares | +282.2% |
France compared with similar countries
- France's 108,107 hectares is above the median for high income countries, which is 273 hectares, 396.0× the median. (85 countries reporting)
- France's 108,107 hectares is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 3,034 hectares, 35.6× the median. (56 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 43,464 hectares | 11,100 hectares | 92,497 hectares | 8 |
| 2020s | 49,814 hectares | 12,644 hectares | 108,107 hectares | 7 |
Countries ranked near France
More reference data data for France
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 5.48 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 2.93 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 22.63 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 2.81 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 22.63 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 18.36 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 11.75 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 14.49 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 106.68 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 15.3 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual area burnt by wildfires in France?
- Annual area burnt by wildfires in France was 108,107 hectares in 2026, according to Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest annual area burnt by wildfires recorded in France?
- The highest recorded value was 108,107 hectares in 2026.
- What is the lowest annual area burnt by wildfires recorded in France?
- The lowest recorded value was 11,100 hectares in 2018.
- How does France rank for annual area burnt by wildfires?
- France ranks 68th out of 248 countries with data for 2026.
- Is annual area burnt by wildfires rising or falling in France?
- Over the last ten years it is up 259.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this France data come from?
- The figures come from Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Annual area burnt by wildfires. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Area burnt by wildfires in hectares. The 2026 data is incomplete and was last updated 18 September 2026.