Average area burnt per wildfire in India
India: Average area burnt per wildfire was 297.14 hectares in 2026. ▬ Flat
Average area burnt per wildfire in India, 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 India stood at 297.14 hectares.
That represents a change of down 3.3% on the previous year and down 9.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, average area burnt per wildfire in India peaked at 340.73 hectares in 2021 and was at its lowest, 280.77 hectares, in 2018.
India ranks 75th of 182 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Average area burnt per wildfire in India, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 323.41 hectares | — |
| 2013 | 301.61 hectares | -6.7% |
| 2014 | 320.56 hectares | +6.3% |
| 2015 | 300.78 hectares | -6.2% |
| 2016 | 328.15 hectares | +9.1% |
| 2017 | 310.66 hectares | -5.3% |
| 2018 | 280.77 hectares | -9.6% |
| 2019 | 302.69 hectares | +7.8% |
| 2020 | 305.61 hectares | +1.0% |
| 2021 | 340.73 hectares | +11.5% |
| 2022 | 297.64 hectares | -12.6% |
| 2023 | 291.8 hectares | -2.0% |
| 2024 | 297.83 hectares | +2.1% |
| 2025 | 307.18 hectares | +3.1% |
| 2026 | 297.14 hectares | -3.3% |
India compared with similar countries
- India's 297.14 hectares is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 299.57 hectares, 99% of the median. (45 countries reporting)
- India's 297.14 hectares is above the median for South Asia, which is 297.14 hectares, 1.0× the median. (5 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 308.58 hectares | 280.77 hectares | 328.15 hectares | 8 |
| 2020s | 305.42 hectares | 291.8 hectares | 340.73 hectares | 7 |
Countries ranked near India
More reference data data for India
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 20.88 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 68.88 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 246.78 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 15.62 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 246.78 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 70.02 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 19.71 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 309.05 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 1,063 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 85.03 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is average area burnt per wildfire in India?
- Average area burnt per wildfire in India was 297.14 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 India?
- The highest recorded value was 340.73 hectares in 2021.
- What is the lowest average area burnt per wildfire recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 280.77 hectares in 2018.
- How does India rank for average area burnt per wildfire?
- India ranks 75th out of 182 countries with data for 2026.
- Is average area burnt per wildfire rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is down 9.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this India 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.