Area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Lesotho
Lesotho: Area burned by wildfires by land cover type was 42,610 hectares in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Lesotho, 2002–2024
Source: Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
Lesotho recorded 42,610 hectares for area burned by wildfires by land cover type in 2024.
The figure is up 21.3% on the previous year and up 24.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Lesotho peaked at 130,813 hectares in 2003 and was at its lowest, 7,084 hectares, in 2018.
Lesotho ranks 64th of 225 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
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 | 65,085 hectares | 21,616 hectares | 130,813 hectares | 8 |
| 2010s | 44,724 hectares | 7,084 hectares | 102,457 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 30,499 hectares | 7,384 hectares | 42,610 hectares | 5 |
Countries ranked near Lesotho
More reference data data for Lesotho
- Spring temperature anomalies 0.6457 °C (2026)
- Summer temperature anomalies 1.77 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month 0.6724 °C (2026)
- Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
- Autumn temperature anomalies 0.5102 °C (2025)
- Winter temperature anomalies -0.4131 °C (2025)
- Consumer price index 221.03 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 Lesotho?
- Area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Lesotho was 42,610 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 Lesotho?
- The highest recorded value was 130,813 hectares in 2003.
- What is the lowest area burned by wildfires by land cover type recorded in Lesotho?
- The lowest recorded value was 7,084 hectares in 2018.
- How does Lesotho rank for area burned by wildfires by land cover type?
- Lesotho ranks 64th out of 225 countries with data for 2024.
- Is area burned by wildfires by land cover type rising or falling in Lesotho?
- Over the last ten years it is up 24.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Lesotho 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.