Area burned by wildfires by land cover type in India
India: Area burned by wildfires by land cover type was 75,324 hectares in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Area burned by wildfires by land cover type in India, 2002–2024
Source: Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
India recorded 75,324 hectares for area burned by wildfires by land cover type in 2024.
The figure is down 57.3% on the previous year and down 6.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, area burned by wildfires by land cover type in India peaked at 353,242 hectares in 2021 and was at its lowest, 45,808 hectares, in 2015.
India ranks 57th of 225 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
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 | 159,148 hectares | 60,641 hectares | 323,619 hectares | 8 |
| 2010s | 164,540 hectares | 45,808 hectares | 270,685 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 187,581 hectares | 73,284 hectares | 353,242 hectares | 5 |
Countries ranked near India
More reference data data for India
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Frequently asked questions
- What is area burned by wildfires by land cover type in India?
- Area burned by wildfires by land cover type in India was 75,324 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 India?
- The highest recorded value was 353,242 hectares in 2021.
- What is the lowest area burned by wildfires by land cover type recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 45,808 hectares in 2015.
- How does India rank for area burned by wildfires by land cover type?
- India ranks 57th out of 225 countries with data for 2024.
- Is area burned by wildfires by land cover type rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is down 6.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this India 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.