Wildfire area burned by land cover type in India
India: Wildfire area burned by land cover type was 407.85 hectares in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Wildfire area burned by land cover type in India, 2002–2025
Source: Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
In 2025, wildfire area burned by land cover type in India stood at 407.85 hectares.
The figure is down 66.7% on the previous year and down 70.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, wildfire area burned by land cover type in India peaked at 2,018 hectares in 2012 and was at its lowest, 85.86 hectares, in 2008.
That places India 53rd out of 225 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Wildfire area burned by land cover type in India, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1,610 hectares | — |
| 2003 | 1,309 hectares | -18.7% |
| 2004 | 386.39 hectares | -70.5% |
| 2005 | 107.33 hectares | -72.2% |
| 2006 | 343.45 hectares | +220.0% |
| 2007 | 815.7 hectares | +137.5% |
| 2008 | 85.86 hectares | -89.5% |
| 2009 | 665.44 hectares | +675.0% |
| 2010 | 386.39 hectares | -41.9% |
| 2011 | 429.32 hectares | +11.1% |
| 2012 | 2,018 hectares | +370.0% |
| 2013 | 214.66 hectares | -89.4% |
| 2014 | 515.18 hectares | +140.0% |
| 2015 | 1,395 hectares | +170.8% |
| 2016 | 1,030 hectares | -26.2% |
| 2017 | 944.5 hectares | -8.3% |
| 2018 | 643.98 hectares | -31.8% |
| 2019 | 1,095 hectares | +70.0% |
| 2020 | 558.11 hectares | -49.0% |
| 2021 | 493.72 hectares | -11.5% |
| 2022 | 837.17 hectares | +69.6% |
| 2023 | 472.25 hectares | -43.6% |
| 2024 | 1,224 hectares | +159.1% |
| 2025 | 407.85 hectares | -66.7% |
India compared with similar countries
- India's 407.85 hectares is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 42.93 hectares, 9.5× the median. (46 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Wildfire area burned by land cover type in India 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | +675.0% | 85.86 hectares | 665.44 hectares |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 665.44 hectares | 85.86 hectares | 1,610 hectares | 8 |
| 2010s | 867.22 hectares | 214.66 hectares | 2,018 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 665.44 hectares | 407.85 hectares | 1,224 hectares | 6 |
Countries ranked near India
More reference data data for India
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 20.88 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 68.88 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 246.78 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 15.62 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 246.78 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 70.02 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 19.71 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 309.05 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 1,063 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 85.03 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is wildfire area burned by land cover type in India?
- Wildfire area burned by land cover type in India was 407.85 hectares in 2025, according to Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest wildfire area burned by land cover type recorded in India?
- The highest recorded value was 2,018 hectares in 2012.
- What is the lowest wildfire area burned by land cover type recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 85.86 hectares in 2008.
- How does India rank for wildfire area burned by land cover type?
- India ranks 53rd out of 225 countries with data for 2025.
- Is wildfire area burned by land cover type rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is down 70.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this India data come from?
- The figures come from Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Wildfire area burned by land cover type. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Area of other land types burnt by wildfires each year, in hectares. Includes wetlands, urban areas, snow and ice, bare ground, and water bodies.