Wildfire area burned by land cover type in United States
United States: Wildfire area burned by land cover type was 8,930 hectares in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Wildfire area burned by land cover type in United States, 2002–2024
Source: Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
The most recent figure for wildfire area burned by land cover type in United States is 8,930 hectares, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 21.2% on the previous year and down 22.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, wildfire area burned by land cover type in United States peaked at 37,200 hectares in 2011 and was at its lowest, 5,388 hectares, in 2013.
That places United States 15th out of 225 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 11,484 hectares | 8,093 hectares | 17,752 hectares | 8 |
| 2010s | 12,283 hectares | 5,388 hectares | 37,200 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 11,132 hectares | 8,930 hectares | 13,910 hectares | 5 |
Countries ranked near United States
- 13 Madagascar 11,291 hectares compare
- 14 Kazakhstan 9,230 hectares compare
- 16 Ghana 8,908 hectares compare
- 17 Venezuela 7,728 hectares compare
- 18 Argentina 7,084 hectares compare
More reference data data for United States
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- Summer temperature anomalies 0.5014 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month 0.0594 °C (2026)
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- Autumn temperature anomalies 0.8696 °C (2025)
- Winter temperature anomalies 0.9189 °C (2025)
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Frequently asked questions
- What is wildfire area burned by land cover type in United States?
- Wildfire area burned by land cover type in United States was 8,930 hectares in 2024, 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 United States?
- The highest recorded value was 37,200 hectares in 2011.
- What is the lowest wildfire area burned by land cover type recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 5,388 hectares in 2013.
- How does United States rank for wildfire area burned by land cover type?
- United States ranks 15th out of 225 countries with data for 2024.
- Is wildfire area burned by land cover type rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is down 22.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United States 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.