Wildfire area burned by land cover type in North Korea
North Korea: Wildfire area burned by land cover type was 64.4 hectares in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Wildfire area burned by land cover type in North Korea, 2002–2025
Source: Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
North Korea recorded 64.4 hectares for wildfire area burned by land cover type in 2025.
The figure is up 200.0% on the previous year and down 75.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, wildfire area burned by land cover type in North Korea peaked at 1,438 hectares in 2003 and was at its lowest, 0 hectares, in 2018.
That places North Korea 78th out of 225 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Wildfire area burned by land cover type in North Korea, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1,224 hectares | — |
| 2003 | 1,438 hectares | +17.5% |
| 2004 | 1,159 hectares | -19.4% |
| 2005 | 321.99 hectares | -72.2% |
| 2006 | 171.73 hectares | -46.7% |
| 2007 | 107.33 hectares | -37.5% |
| 2008 | 407.85 hectares | +280.0% |
| 2009 | 665.44 hectares | +63.2% |
| 2010 | 236.12 hectares | -64.5% |
| 2011 | 493.71 hectares | +109.1% |
| 2012 | 321.99 hectares | -34.8% |
| 2013 | 42.93 hectares | -86.7% |
| 2014 | 64.4 hectares | +50.0% |
| 2015 | 257.59 hectares | +300.0% |
| 2016 | 279.06 hectares | +8.3% |
| 2017 | 450.78 hectares | +61.5% |
| 2018 | 0 hectares | -100.0% |
| 2019 | 407.85 hectares | — |
| 2020 | 536.65 hectares | +31.6% |
| 2021 | 279.06 hectares | -48.0% |
| 2022 | 85.86 hectares | -69.2% |
| 2023 | 300.52 hectares | +250.0% |
| 2024 | 21.47 hectares | -92.9% |
| 2025 | 64.4 hectares | +200.0% |
North Korea compared with similar countries
- North Korea's 64.4 hectares is below the median for low income countries, which is 558.11 hectares, 12% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 686.91 hectares | 107.33 hectares | 1,438 hectares | 8 |
| 2010s | 255.44 hectares | 0 hectares | 493.71 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 214.66 hectares | 21.47 hectares | 536.65 hectares | 6 |
Countries ranked near North Korea
More reference data data for North Korea
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 0.9593 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 1.75 (2050)
- Summer temperature anomalies 0.3103 °C (2026)
- Autumn temperature anomalies 0.7425 °C (2026)
- Spring temperature anomalies 2.29 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month -2.22 °C (2026)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 (AR5) - Burning - Crop 99.02 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (CO2eq) (AR5) - IPCC Agriculture 9,167 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (CO2eq) (AR5) - Manure Management 656.23 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (CO2eq) (AR5) - Manure applied to Soils 316.45 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is wildfire area burned by land cover type in North Korea?
- Wildfire area burned by land cover type in North Korea was 64.4 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 North Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 1,438 hectares in 2003.
- What is the lowest wildfire area burned by land cover type recorded in North Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 hectares in 2018.
- How does North Korea rank for wildfire area burned by land cover type?
- North Korea ranks 78th out of 225 countries with data for 2025.
- Is wildfire area burned by land cover type rising or falling in North Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 75.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this North Korea 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.