Area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: Area burned by wildfires by land cover type was 21.47 hectares in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Sri Lanka, 2002–2024
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 Sri Lanka is 21.47 hectares, measured in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 23 years on record.
That represents a change of down 95.2% on the previous year and down 98.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Sri Lanka peaked at 11,592 hectares in 2005 and was at its lowest, 21.47 hectares, in 2021.
That places Sri Lanka 143rd out of 225 countries with data for 2024, putting it 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 | 8,653 hectares | 6,118 hectares | 11,592 hectares | 8 |
| 2010s | 2,584 hectares | 107.33 hectares | 6,805 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 206.07 hectares | 21.47 hectares | 450.78 hectares | 5 |
Countries ranked near Sri Lanka
- 140 Iceland 42.93 hectares compare
- 140 Jordan 42.93 hectares compare
- 140 Latvia 42.93 hectares compare
- 143 Kyrgyzstan 21.47 hectares compare
- 143 Puerto Rico 21.47 hectares compare
- 143 South Korea 21.47 hectares compare
- 143 Taiwan 21.47 hectares compare
More reference data data for Sri Lanka
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- Temperature anomalies by month 0.0088 °C (2026)
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- Winter temperature anomalies 0.372 °C (2025)
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- Competitive elections 1 (2025)
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Frequently asked questions
- What is area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Sri Lanka?
- Area burned by wildfires by land cover type in Sri Lanka was 21.47 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 Sri Lanka?
- The highest recorded value was 11,592 hectares in 2005.
- What is the lowest area burned by wildfires by land cover type recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The lowest recorded value was 21.47 hectares in 2021.
- How does Sri Lanka rank for area burned by wildfires by land cover type?
- Sri Lanka ranks 143rd out of 225 countries with data for 2024.
- Is area burned by wildfires by land cover type rising or falling in Sri Lanka?
- Over the last ten years it is down 98.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sri Lanka 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.