Area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Kenya
Kenya: Area burned by wildfires by land cover type was 316,858 hectares in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Kenya, 2002–2024
Source: Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
In 2024, area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Kenya stood at 316,858 hectares.
The figure is up 339.6% on the previous year and up 128.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Kenya peaked at 818,923 hectares in 2012 and was at its lowest, 38,381 hectares, in 2017.
That places Kenya 39th out of 225 countries with data for 2024, putting it 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 | 229,073 hectares | 61,028 hectares | 654,709 hectares | 8 |
| 2010s | 205,826 hectares | 38,381 hectares | 818,923 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 232,338 hectares | 72,082 hectares | 465,917 hectares | 5 |
Countries ranked near Kenya
More reference data data for Kenya
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- Summer temperature anomalies 0.7428 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month 0.7503 °C (2026)
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- Autumn temperature anomalies 0.5834 °C (2025)
- Winter temperature anomalies 1.22 °C (2025)
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- 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 Kenya?
- Area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Kenya was 316,858 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 Kenya?
- The highest recorded value was 818,923 hectares in 2012.
- What is the lowest area burned by wildfires by land cover type recorded in Kenya?
- The lowest recorded value was 38,381 hectares in 2017.
- How does Kenya rank for area burned by wildfires by land cover type?
- Kenya ranks 39th out of 225 countries with data for 2024.
- Is area burned by wildfires by land cover type rising or falling in Kenya?
- Over the last ten years it is up 128.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Kenya 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.