Average area burnt per wildfire in Japan
Japan: Average area burnt per wildfire was 280.56 hectares in 2026. ▼ Falling
Average area burnt per wildfire in Japan, 2012–2026
Source: Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
The most recent figure for average area burnt per wildfire in Japan is 280.56 hectares, measured in 2026.
That represents a change of up 10.9% on the previous year and up 22.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, average area burnt per wildfire in Japan peaked at 398.1 hectares in 2014 and was at its lowest, 180.85 hectares, in 2017.
Japan ranks 85th of 182 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 15 years of available data.
Average area burnt per wildfire in Japan, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 232.8 hectares | — |
| 2013 | 245.26 hectares | +5.4% |
| 2014 | 398.1 hectares | +62.3% |
| 2015 | 339.55 hectares | -14.7% |
| 2016 | 229.23 hectares | -32.5% |
| 2017 | 180.85 hectares | -21.1% |
| 2018 | 333.54 hectares | +84.4% |
| 2019 | 244.9 hectares | -26.6% |
| 2020 | 344.65 hectares | +40.7% |
| 2021 | 209.03 hectares | -39.3% |
| 2022 | 354.92 hectares | +69.8% |
| 2023 | 203.57 hectares | -42.6% |
| 2024 | 212.29 hectares | +4.3% |
| 2025 | 252.9 hectares | +19.1% |
| 2026 | 280.56 hectares | +10.9% |
Japan compared with similar countries
- Japan's 280.56 hectares is above the median for high income countries, which is 215 hectares, 1.3× the median. (59 countries reporting)
- Japan's 280.56 hectares is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 276.78 hectares, 1.0× the median. (26 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 275.53 hectares | 180.85 hectares | 398.1 hectares | 8 |
| 2020s | 265.42 hectares | 203.57 hectares | 354.92 hectares | 7 |
Countries ranked near Japan
More reference data data for Japan
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.19 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 0.981 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 4.49 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.3629 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 4.49 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 3.98 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 4.16 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 5.57 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 23.74 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 1.98 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is average area burnt per wildfire in Japan?
- Average area burnt per wildfire in Japan was 280.56 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 Japan?
- The highest recorded value was 398.1 hectares in 2014.
- What is the lowest average area burnt per wildfire recorded in Japan?
- The lowest recorded value was 180.85 hectares in 2017.
- How does Japan rank for average area burnt per wildfire?
- Japan ranks 85th out of 182 countries with data for 2026.
- Is average area burnt per wildfire rising or falling in Japan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 22.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Japan 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.