Average area burnt per wildfire in Switzerland

Switzerland: Average area burnt per wildfire was 75 hectares in 2026. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2026)
75 hectares
Change on year
down 40.8%
World rank
181st
of 181 countries
All-time high
168.33 hectares
in 2016
All-time low
13 hectares
in 2019
Years of data
10
2015–2026

Average area burnt per wildfire in Switzerland, 2015–2026

0501001502015202020262015: 40.5 hectares2016: 168.3 hectares2017: 30.1 hectares2018: 35.7 hectares2019: 13 hectares2020: 80 hectares2021: 25 hectares2022: 123.3 hectares2023: 126.7 hectares2026: 75 hectares

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 Switzerland is 75 hectares, measured in 2026.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 40.8% on the previous year and down 55.4% over ten years.

Over the whole period, average area burnt per wildfire in Switzerland peaked at 168.33 hectares in 2016 and was at its lowest, 13 hectares, in 2019.

Switzerland ranks 181st of 181 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2010s 57.52 hectares 13 hectares 168.33 hectares 5
2020s 86 hectares 25 hectares 126.67 hectares 5

Countries ranked near Switzerland

  1. 178 Germany 102.46 hectares compare
  2. 179 Antigua and Barbuda 95 hectares compare
  3. 180 Sweden 86.25 hectares compare

See the full ranking of 181 places →

More reference data data for Switzerland

All data for Switzerland →

Frequently asked questions

What is average area burnt per wildfire in Switzerland?
Average area burnt per wildfire in Switzerland was 75 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 Switzerland?
The highest recorded value was 168.33 hectares in 2016.
What is the lowest average area burnt per wildfire recorded in Switzerland?
The lowest recorded value was 13 hectares in 2019.
How does Switzerland rank for average area burnt per wildfire?
Switzerland ranks 181st out of 181 countries with data for 2026.
Is average area burnt per wildfire rising or falling in Switzerland?
Over the last ten years it is down 55.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Switzerland 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

Indicator
Average area burnt per wildfire
Unit
hectares
Source
Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
181 places, 2,589 data points, 2012–2026
Last refreshed

The average area burnt per wildfire, in hectares. The 2026 data is incomplete and was last updated 07 August 2026.