Average area burnt per wildfire in South Africa
South Africa: Average area burnt per wildfire was 252.25 hectares in 2026. ▬ Flat
Average area burnt per wildfire in South Africa, 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 South Africa is 252.25 hectares, measured in 2026. That is the lowest value across all 15 years on record.
That represents a change of down 15.6% on the previous year and down 14.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, average area burnt per wildfire in South Africa peaked at 323.46 hectares in 2024 and was at its lowest, 252.25 hectares, in 2026.
South Africa ranks 94th of 181 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 293.94 hectares | 281.94 hectares | 314.68 hectares | 8 |
| 2020s | 291.04 hectares | 252.25 hectares | 323.46 hectares | 7 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More reference data data for South Africa
- Spring temperature anomalies 0.191 °C (2026)
- Summer temperature anomalies 1.36 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month 0.6318 °C (2026)
- Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
- Autumn temperature anomalies 1.18 °C (2025)
- Winter temperature anomalies 0.2153 °C (2025)
- Consumer price index 209.92 2010 = 100 (2025)
- Universal right to vote 2 (2025)
- Competitive elections 1 (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is average area burnt per wildfire in South Africa?
- Average area burnt per wildfire in South Africa was 252.25 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 Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 323.46 hectares in 2024.
- What is the lowest average area burnt per wildfire recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 252.25 hectares in 2026.
- How does South Africa rank for average area burnt per wildfire?
- South Africa ranks 94th out of 181 countries with data for 2026.
- Is average area burnt per wildfire rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 14.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this South Africa 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
The average area burnt per wildfire, in hectares. The 2026 data is incomplete and was last updated 07 August 2026.