Area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan: Area burned by wildfires by land cover type was 1.39 million hectares in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Kazakhstan, 2002–2025
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 Kazakhstan is 1.39 million hectares, measured in 2025.
The figure is up 178.3% on the previous year and down 80.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Kazakhstan peaked at 22.59 million hectares in 2002 and was at its lowest, 500,176 hectares, in 2024.
Kazakhstan ranks 23rd 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.
Area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Kazakhstan, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 22.59 million hectares | — |
| 2003 | 9.31 million hectares | -58.8% |
| 2004 | 12.54 million hectares | +34.8% |
| 2005 | 12.39 million hectares | -1.2% |
| 2006 | 13.93 million hectares | +12.4% |
| 2007 | 7.53 million hectares | -45.9% |
| 2008 | 9.05 million hectares | +20.2% |
| 2009 | 4.58 million hectares | -49.4% |
| 2010 | 11.53 million hectares | +151.7% |
| 2011 | 2.64 million hectares | -77.1% |
| 2012 | 4.94 million hectares | +87.1% |
| 2013 | 1.18 million hectares | -76.2% |
| 2014 | 5.89 million hectares | +401.3% |
| 2015 | 7.07 million hectares | +20.1% |
| 2016 | 2.20 million hectares | -68.9% |
| 2017 | 13.74 million hectares | +525.7% |
| 2018 | 3.29 million hectares | -76.1% |
| 2019 | 7.79 million hectares | +136.9% |
| 2020 | 3.89 million hectares | -50.1% |
| 2021 | 4.97 million hectares | +27.8% |
| 2022 | 1.66 million hectares | -66.7% |
| 2023 | 952,827 hectares | -42.5% |
| 2024 | 500,176 hectares | -47.5% |
| 2025 | 1.39 million hectares | +178.3% |
Kazakhstan compared with similar countries
- Kazakhstan's 1.39 million hectares is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 10,669 hectares, 130.5× the median. (56 countries reporting)
- Kazakhstan's 1.39 million hectares is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 890.83 hectares, 1562.7× the median. (54 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Kazakhstan changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | +525.7% | 2.20 million hectares | 13.74 million hectares |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 11.49 million hectares | 4.58 million hectares | 22.59 million hectares | 8 |
| 2010s | 6.03 million hectares | 1.18 million hectares | 13.74 million hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 2.23 million hectares | 500,176 hectares | 4.97 million hectares | 6 |
Countries ranked near Kazakhstan
- 20 Venezuela 1.69 million hectares compare
- 21 Central African Republic 1.62 million hectares compare
- 22 Democratic Republic of Congo 1.46 million hectares compare
- 24 Russia 1.16 million hectares compare
- 25 United States 1.13 million hectares compare
- 26 Argentina 1.12 million hectares compare
More reference data data for Kazakhstan
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.3 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 2.52 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 4.95 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.8607 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 4.95 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 4.36 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 4.63 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 10.75 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 25.76 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 4.69 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Kazakhstan?
- Area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Kazakhstan was 1.39 million 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 Kazakhstan?
- The highest recorded value was 22.59 million hectares in 2002.
- What is the lowest area burned by wildfires by land cover type recorded in Kazakhstan?
- The lowest recorded value was 500,176 hectares in 2024.
- How does Kazakhstan rank for area burned by wildfires by land cover type?
- Kazakhstan ranks 23rd out of 225 countries with data for 2025.
- Is area burned by wildfires by land cover type rising or falling in Kazakhstan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 80.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Kazakhstan 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.