Average area burnt per wildfire in South Korea
South Korea: Average area burnt per wildfire was 221.58 hectares in 2026. ◆ Volatile
Average area burnt per wildfire in South Korea, 2012–2026
Source: Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
South Korea recorded 221.58 hectares for average area burnt per wildfire in 2026.
That represents a change of down 83.5% on the previous year and down 26.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, average area burnt per wildfire in South Korea peaked at 1,342 hectares in 2025 and was at its lowest, 48 hectares, in 2024.
South Korea ranks 114th of 182 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.
Average area burnt per wildfire in South Korea, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 272.25 hectares | — |
| 2013 | 235.81 hectares | -13.4% |
| 2014 | 397.26 hectares | +68.5% |
| 2015 | 293.75 hectares | -26.1% |
| 2016 | 303.31 hectares | +3.3% |
| 2017 | 408.71 hectares | +34.8% |
| 2018 | 375.33 hectares | -8.2% |
| 2019 | 287.22 hectares | -23.5% |
| 2020 | 291.44 hectares | +1.5% |
| 2021 | 184.5 hectares | -36.7% |
| 2022 | 1,044 hectares | +466.0% |
| 2023 | 335.06 hectares | -67.9% |
| 2024 | 48 hectares | -85.7% |
| 2025 | 1,342 hectares | +2694.9% |
| 2026 | 221.58 hectares | -83.5% |
South Korea compared with similar countries
- South Korea's 221.58 hectares is above the median for high income countries, which is 215 hectares, 1.0× the median. (59 countries reporting)
- South Korea's 221.58 hectares is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 276.78 hectares, 80% of the median. (26 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Average area burnt per wildfire in South Korea changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +2694.9% | 48 hectares | 1,342 hectares |
| 2022 | +466.0% | 184.5 hectares | 1,044 hectares |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 321.71 hectares | 235.81 hectares | 408.71 hectares | 8 |
| 2020s | 495.19 hectares | 48 hectares | 1,342 hectares | 7 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
More reference data data for South Korea
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.9638 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 0.9281 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 3.55 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.2074 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 3.55 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 3.23 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 4.37 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 5.17 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 19.85 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 1.13 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is average area burnt per wildfire in South Korea?
- Average area burnt per wildfire in South Korea was 221.58 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 South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 1,342 hectares in 2025.
- What is the lowest average area burnt per wildfire recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 48 hectares in 2024.
- How does South Korea rank for average area burnt per wildfire?
- South Korea ranks 114th out of 182 countries with data for 2026.
- Is average area burnt per wildfire rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 26.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Korea 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.