Average area burnt per wildfire in South Africa
South Africa: Average area burnt per wildfire was 254.76 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 254.76 hectares, measured in 2026. That is the lowest value across all 15 years on record.
That represents a change of down 14.8% on the previous year and down 13.8% 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, 254.76 hectares, in 2026.
South Africa ranks 100th of 182 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Average area burnt per wildfire in South Africa, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 298.76 hectares | — |
| 2013 | 286.88 hectares | -4.0% |
| 2014 | 294.59 hectares | +2.7% |
| 2015 | 295.94 hectares | +0.5% |
| 2016 | 295.71 hectares | -0.1% |
| 2017 | 314.68 hectares | +6.4% |
| 2018 | 281.94 hectares | -10.4% |
| 2019 | 283.03 hectares | +0.4% |
| 2020 | 266.22 hectares | -5.9% |
| 2021 | 286.51 hectares | +7.6% |
| 2022 | 297.23 hectares | +3.7% |
| 2023 | 312.69 hectares | +5.2% |
| 2024 | 323.46 hectares | +3.4% |
| 2025 | 298.93 hectares | -7.6% |
| 2026 | 254.76 hectares | -14.8% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 254.76 hectares is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 266 hectares, 96% of the median. (49 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 254.76 hectares is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 314.75 hectares, 81% of the median. (46 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 293.94 hectares | 281.94 hectares | 314.68 hectares | 8 |
| 2020s | 291.4 hectares | 254.76 hectares | 323.46 hectares | 7 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More reference data data for South Africa
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.5111 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 8.71 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 13.63 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.7468 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 13.63 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.71 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 1.49 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 41.1 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 63.65 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 4.07 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is average area burnt per wildfire in South Africa?
- Average area burnt per wildfire in South Africa was 254.76 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 254.76 hectares in 2026.
- How does South Africa rank for average area burnt per wildfire?
- South Africa ranks 100th out of 182 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 13.8%. 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
Average area burnt per wildfire, in hectares. The 2026 data is incomplete and was last updated 18 September 2026.