Wildfire area burned by land cover type in Zambia
Zambia: Wildfire area burned by land cover type was 100,482 hectares in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Wildfire area burned by land cover type in Zambia, 2002–2024
Source: Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
In 2024, wildfire area burned by land cover type in Zambia stood at 100,482 hectares.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 993.7% on the previous year and up 282.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, wildfire area burned by land cover type in Zambia peaked at 116,925 hectares in 2016 and was at its lowest, 9,187 hectares, in 2023.
That places Zambia 2nd 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 | 45,964 hectares | 10,883 hectares | 97,648 hectares | 8 |
| 2010s | 58,598 hectares | 26,253 hectares | 116,925 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 45,083 hectares | 9,187 hectares | 100,482 hectares | 5 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
More reference data data for Zambia
- Spring temperature anomalies -0.0386 °C (2026)
- Summer temperature anomalies -0.018 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month 0.3261 °C (2026)
- Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
- Autumn temperature anomalies 0.5273 °C (2025)
- Winter temperature anomalies -0.2981 °C (2025)
- Consumer price index 483.32 2010 = 100 (2025)
- Universal right to vote 2 (2025)
- Competitive elections 1 (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is wildfire area burned by land cover type in Zambia?
- Wildfire area burned by land cover type in Zambia was 100,482 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 Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 116,925 hectares in 2016.
- What is the lowest wildfire area burned by land cover type recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 9,187 hectares in 2023.
- How does Zambia rank for wildfire area burned by land cover type?
- Zambia ranks 2nd out of 225 countries with data for 2024.
- Is wildfire area burned by land cover type rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 282.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zambia 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.