Annual area burnt by wildfires in Mauritania
Mauritania: Annual area burnt by wildfires was 52,664 hectares in 2026. ◆ Volatile
Annual area burnt by wildfires in Mauritania, 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 Mauritania stood at 52,664 hectares.
That represents a change of down 58.7% on the previous year and down 13.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual area burnt by wildfires in Mauritania peaked at 127,463 hectares in 2025 and was at its lowest, 12,506 hectares, in 2018.
Mauritania ranks 80th 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 Mauritania, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 90,208 hectares | — |
| 2013 | 87,122 hectares | -3.4% |
| 2014 | 28,388 hectares | -67.4% |
| 2015 | 16,867 hectares | -40.6% |
| 2016 | 60,850 hectares | +260.8% |
| 2017 | 38,506 hectares | -36.7% |
| 2018 | 12,506 hectares | -67.5% |
| 2019 | 41,063 hectares | +228.3% |
| 2020 | 53,588 hectares | +30.5% |
| 2021 | 106,567 hectares | +98.9% |
| 2022 | 72,404 hectares | -32.1% |
| 2023 | 118,666 hectares | +63.9% |
| 2024 | 74,982 hectares | -36.8% |
| 2025 | 127,463 hectares | +70.0% |
| 2026 | 52,664 hectares | -58.7% |
Mauritania compared with similar countries
- Mauritania's 52,664 hectares is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 156,215 hectares, 34% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Mauritania's 52,664 hectares is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 506,694 hectares, 10% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 46,939 hectares | 12,506 hectares | 90,208 hectares | 8 |
| 2020s | 86,619 hectares | 52,664 hectares | 127,463 hectares | 7 |
Countries ranked near Mauritania
More reference data data for Mauritania
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.0975 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 3.86 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 3.98 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.0216 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 3.98 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.327 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 0.1337 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 14.4 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 14.99 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.1178 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual area burnt by wildfires in Mauritania?
- Annual area burnt by wildfires in Mauritania was 52,664 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 Mauritania?
- The highest recorded value was 127,463 hectares in 2025.
- What is the lowest annual area burnt by wildfires recorded in Mauritania?
- The lowest recorded value was 12,506 hectares in 2018.
- How does Mauritania rank for annual area burnt by wildfires?
- Mauritania ranks 80th out of 248 countries with data for 2026.
- Is annual area burnt by wildfires rising or falling in Mauritania?
- Over the last ten years it is down 13.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Mauritania 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.
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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.