Average area burnt per wildfire in France
France: Average area burnt per wildfire was 280.8 hectares in 2026. ▲ Rising
Average area burnt per wildfire in France, 2012–2026
Source: Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
In 2026, average area burnt per wildfire in France stood at 280.8 hectares. That is the highest value across all 15 years on record.
That represents a change of up 98.5% on the previous year and up 124.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, average area burnt per wildfire in France peaked at 280.8 hectares in 2026 and was at its lowest, 98.23 hectares, in 2018.
France ranks 84th of 182 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 15 years of available data.
Average area burnt per wildfire in France, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 129.57 hectares | — |
| 2013 | 98.35 hectares | -24.1% |
| 2014 | 124.61 hectares | +26.7% |
| 2015 | 121.91 hectares | -2.2% |
| 2016 | 125.15 hectares | +2.7% |
| 2017 | 153.63 hectares | +22.8% |
| 2018 | 98.23 hectares | -36.1% |
| 2019 | 135.63 hectares | +38.1% |
| 2020 | 129.61 hectares | -4.4% |
| 2021 | 136.46 hectares | +5.3% |
| 2022 | 224.25 hectares | +64.3% |
| 2023 | 124.45 hectares | -44.5% |
| 2024 | 110.91 hectares | -10.9% |
| 2025 | 141.44 hectares | +27.5% |
| 2026 | 280.8 hectares | +98.5% |
France compared with similar countries
- France's 280.8 hectares is above the median for high income countries, which is 215 hectares, 1.3× the median. (59 countries reporting)
- France's 280.8 hectares is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 207.64 hectares, 1.4× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 123.39 hectares | 98.23 hectares | 153.63 hectares | 8 |
| 2020s | 163.99 hectares | 110.91 hectares | 280.8 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 average area burnt per wildfire in France?
- Average area burnt per wildfire in France was 280.8 hectares in 2026, according to Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest average area burnt per wildfire recorded in France?
- The highest recorded value was 280.8 hectares in 2026.
- What is the lowest average area burnt per wildfire recorded in France?
- The lowest recorded value was 98.23 hectares in 2018.
- How does France rank for average area burnt per wildfire?
- France ranks 84th out of 182 countries with data for 2026.
- Is average area burnt per wildfire rising or falling in France?
- Over the last ten years it is up 124.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- 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 Average area burnt per wildfire. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Average area burnt per wildfire, in hectares. The 2026 data is incomplete and was last updated 18 September 2026.