Wildfire area burned by land cover type in Iraq
Iraq: Wildfire area burned by land cover type was 665.44 hectares in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Wildfire area burned by land cover type in Iraq, 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 Iraq stood at 665.44 hectares.
The figure is down 89.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, wildfire area burned by land cover type in Iraq peaked at 14,425 hectares in 2021 and was at its lowest, 0 hectares, in 2004.
Iraq ranks 45th of 225 countries on this measure, 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 Iraq, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1,202 hectares | — |
| 2003 | 42.93 hectares | -96.4% |
| 2004 | 0 hectares | -100.0% |
| 2005 | 0 hectares | — |
| 2006 | 42.93 hectares | — |
| 2007 | 214.66 hectares | +400.0% |
| 2008 | 8,887 hectares | +4040.0% |
| 2009 | 5,044 hectares | -43.2% |
| 2010 | 4,121 hectares | -18.3% |
| 2011 | 4,014 hectares | -2.6% |
| 2012 | 2,726 hectares | -32.1% |
| 2013 | 0 hectares | -100.0% |
| 2014 | 1,782 hectares | — |
| 2015 | 6,311 hectares | +254.2% |
| 2016 | 3,842 hectares | -39.1% |
| 2017 | 493.71 hectares | -87.2% |
| 2018 | 9,917 hectares | +1908.7% |
| 2019 | 85.86 hectares | -99.1% |
| 2020 | 21.47 hectares | -75.0% |
| 2021 | 14,425 hectares | +67099.8% |
| 2022 | 6,805 hectares | -52.8% |
| 2023 | 794.24 hectares | -88.3% |
| 2024 | 0 hectares | -100.0% |
| 2025 | 665.44 hectares | — |
Iraq compared with similar countries
- Iraq's 665.44 hectares is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 21.47 hectares, 31.0× the median. (56 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Wildfire area burned by land cover type in Iraq 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | +67099.8% | 21.47 hectares | 14,425 hectares |
| 2008 | +4040.0% | 214.66 hectares | 8,887 hectares |
| 2018 | +1908.7% | 493.71 hectares | 9,917 hectares |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 1,929 hectares | 0 hectares | 8,887 hectares | 8 |
| 2010s | 3,329 hectares | 0 hectares | 9,917 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 3,785 hectares | 0 hectares | 14,425 hectares | 6 |
Countries ranked near Iraq
More reference data data for Iraq
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.2116 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 3.19 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 7.23 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.3911 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 7.23 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.7096 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 0.235 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 13.21 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 30.36 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 2.13 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is wildfire area burned by land cover type in Iraq?
- Wildfire area burned by land cover type in Iraq was 665.44 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 Iraq?
- The highest recorded value was 14,425 hectares in 2021.
- What is the lowest wildfire area burned by land cover type recorded in Iraq?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 hectares in 2004.
- How does Iraq rank for wildfire area burned by land cover type?
- Iraq ranks 45th out of 225 countries with data for 2025.
- Is wildfire area burned by land cover type rising or falling in Iraq?
- Over the last ten years it is down 89.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Iraq 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.
Download this data
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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.