Area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Botswana
Botswana: Area burned by wildfires by land cover type was 2.16 million hectares in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Botswana, 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 area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Botswana is 2.16 million hectares, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of down 79.6% on the previous year and down 24.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Botswana peaked at 16.52 million hectares in 2011 and was at its lowest, 1.09 million hectares, in 2019.
Botswana ranks 20th of 225 countries on this measure, 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 | 4.40 million hectares | 1.36 million hectares | 10.98 million hectares | 8 |
| 2010s | 5.35 million hectares | 1.09 million hectares | 16.52 million hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 6.81 million hectares | 2.16 million hectares | 10.60 million hectares | 5 |
Countries ranked near Botswana
- 17 Venezuela 2.66 million hectares compare
- 18 Congo 2.33 million hectares compare
- 19 United States 2.24 million hectares compare
- 21 Russia 1.99 million hectares compare
- 22 Democratic Republic of Congo 1.81 million hectares compare
- 23 Central African Republic 1.46 million hectares compare
More reference data data for Botswana
- Spring temperature anomalies -1.39 °C (2026)
- Summer temperature anomalies 0.8179 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month -0.391 °C (2026)
- Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
- Autumn temperature anomalies 1.76 °C (2025)
- Winter temperature anomalies -1.55 °C (2025)
- Consumer price index 202.64 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 area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Botswana?
- Area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Botswana was 2.16 million hectares in 2024, according to Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest area burned by wildfires by land cover type recorded in Botswana?
- The highest recorded value was 16.52 million hectares in 2011.
- What is the lowest area burned by wildfires by land cover type recorded in Botswana?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.09 million hectares in 2019.
- How does Botswana rank for area burned by wildfires by land cover type?
- Botswana ranks 20th out of 225 countries with data for 2024.
- Is area burned by wildfires by land cover type rising or falling in Botswana?
- Over the last ten years it is down 24.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Botswana data come from?
- The figures come from Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Area burned by wildfires by land cover type. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Area of shrubland and grassland burnt by wildfires each year, in hectares. Includes open and closed shrublands and grasslands without a significant tree cover.