Average area burnt per wildfire in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Average area burnt per wildfire was 307.6 hectares in 2026. ▲ Rising
Average area burnt per wildfire in United Kingdom, 2012–2026
Source: Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
In 2026, average area burnt per wildfire in United Kingdom stood at 307.6 hectares.
The figure is down 10.5% on the previous year and up 108.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, average area burnt per wildfire in United Kingdom peaked at 343.54 hectares in 2025 and was at its lowest, 123.07 hectares, in 2014.
That places United Kingdom 66th out of 182 countries with data for 2026, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 15 years of available data.
Average area burnt per wildfire in United Kingdom, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 174.64 hectares | — |
| 2013 | 181.66 hectares | +4.0% |
| 2014 | 123.07 hectares | -32.3% |
| 2015 | 172.5 hectares | +40.2% |
| 2016 | 147.72 hectares | -14.4% |
| 2017 | 203.24 hectares | +37.6% |
| 2018 | 206.18 hectares | +1.4% |
| 2019 | 238.14 hectares | +15.5% |
| 2020 | 233.1 hectares | -2.1% |
| 2021 | 161.53 hectares | -30.7% |
| 2022 | 196.74 hectares | +21.8% |
| 2023 | 258.97 hectares | +31.6% |
| 2024 | 144.89 hectares | -44.1% |
| 2025 | 343.54 hectares | +137.1% |
| 2026 | 307.6 hectares | -10.5% |
United Kingdom compared with similar countries
- United Kingdom's 307.6 hectares is above the median for high income countries, which is 215 hectares, 1.4× the median. (59 countries reporting)
- United Kingdom's 307.6 hectares is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 207.64 hectares, 1.5× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 180.89 hectares | 123.07 hectares | 238.14 hectares | 8 |
| 2020s | 235.2 hectares | 144.89 hectares | 343.54 hectares | 7 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
- 63 Paraguay 308.35 hectares compare
- 64 Mexico 307.9 hectares compare
- 65 Guinea-Bissau 307.75 hectares compare
- 67 Mozambique 307.28 hectares compare
- 68 North Macedonia 302.58 hectares compare
- 69 Eritrea 302.44 hectares compare
More reference data data for United Kingdom
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 3.13 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 3.97 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 13.26 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 1.01 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 13.26 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 10.5 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 6.51 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 15.81 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 59.34 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 5.48 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is average area burnt per wildfire in United Kingdom?
- Average area burnt per wildfire in United Kingdom was 307.6 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 United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 343.54 hectares in 2025.
- What is the lowest average area burnt per wildfire recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 123.07 hectares in 2014.
- How does United Kingdom rank for average area burnt per wildfire?
- United Kingdom ranks 66th out of 182 countries with data for 2026.
- Is average area burnt per wildfire rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is up 108.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this United Kingdom 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.