Area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Gambia
Gambia: Area burned by wildfires by land cover type was 96,961 hectares in 2025. ▬ Flat
Area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Gambia, 2002–2025
Source: Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
In 2025, area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Gambia stood at 96,961 hectares.
The figure is down 30.7% on the previous year and up 39.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Gambia peaked at 178,725 hectares in 2006 and was at its lowest, 61,285 hectares, in 2003.
That places Gambia 50th out of 225 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top quarter.
Area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Gambia, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 140,601 hectares | — |
| 2003 | 61,285 hectares | -56.4% |
| 2004 | 116,538 hectares | +90.2% |
| 2005 | 117,418 hectares | +0.8% |
| 2006 | 178,725 hectares | +52.2% |
| 2007 | 149,360 hectares | -16.4% |
| 2008 | 129,826 hectares | -13.1% |
| 2009 | 142,254 hectares | +9.6% |
| 2010 | 136,094 hectares | -4.3% |
| 2011 | 178,446 hectares | +31.1% |
| 2012 | 133,410 hectares | -25.2% |
| 2013 | 142,812 hectares | +7.0% |
| 2014 | 112,181 hectares | -21.4% |
| 2015 | 69,292 hectares | -38.2% |
| 2016 | 137,296 hectares | +98.1% |
| 2017 | 137,081 hectares | -0.2% |
| 2018 | 122,892 hectares | -10.4% |
| 2019 | 104,517 hectares | -15.0% |
| 2020 | 159,341 hectares | +52.5% |
| 2021 | 127,786 hectares | -19.8% |
| 2022 | 113,469 hectares | -11.2% |
| 2023 | 151,248 hectares | +33.3% |
| 2024 | 140,000 hectares | -7.4% |
| 2025 | 96,961 hectares | -30.7% |
Gambia compared with similar countries
- Gambia's 96,961 hectares is above the median for low income countries, which is 96,961 hectares, 1.0× the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Gambia's 96,961 hectares is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 541,498 hectares, 18% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 129,501 hectares | 61,285 hectares | 178,725 hectares | 8 |
| 2010s | 127,402 hectares | 69,292 hectares | 178,446 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 131,468 hectares | 96,961 hectares | 159,341 hectares | 6 |
Countries ranked near Gambia
More reference data data for Gambia
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.0121 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 0.2798 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 0.3524 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.0232 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 0.3524 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.0407 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 0.0331 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 1.36 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 1.72 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.1264 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Gambia?
- Area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Gambia was 96,961 hectares in 2025, 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 Gambia?
- The highest recorded value was 178,725 hectares in 2006.
- What is the lowest area burned by wildfires by land cover type recorded in Gambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 61,285 hectares in 2003.
- How does Gambia rank for area burned by wildfires by land cover type?
- Gambia ranks 50th out of 225 countries with data for 2025.
- Is area burned by wildfires by land cover type rising or falling in Gambia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 39.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Gambia 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.