Tree cover loss from wildfires in France
France: Tree cover loss from wildfires was 1,533 hectares in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Tree cover loss from wildfires in France, 2001–2024
Source: Global Forest Watch (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
In 2024, tree cover loss from wildfires in France stood at 1,533 hectares.
That represents a change of down 54.6% on the previous year and up 82.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, tree cover loss from wildfires in France peaked at 6,285 hectares in 2004 and was at its lowest, 428.87 hectares, in 2013.
France ranks 43rd of 152 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.
Tree cover loss from wildfires in France, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 1,540 hectares | — |
| 2002 | 1,527 hectares | -0.8% |
| 2003 | 3,662 hectares | +139.8% |
| 2004 | 6,285 hectares | +71.6% |
| 2005 | 1,789 hectares | -71.5% |
| 2006 | 1,053 hectares | -41.2% |
| 2007 | 992.43 hectares | -5.7% |
| 2008 | 1,318 hectares | +32.8% |
| 2009 | 1,141 hectares | -13.5% |
| 2010 | 2,576 hectares | +125.8% |
| 2011 | 997.78 hectares | -61.3% |
| 2012 | 1,188 hectares | +19.1% |
| 2013 | 428.87 hectares | -63.9% |
| 2014 | 839.25 hectares | +95.7% |
| 2015 | 550.09 hectares | -34.5% |
| 2016 | 2,250 hectares | +309.1% |
| 2017 | 6,071 hectares | +169.8% |
| 2018 | 3,891 hectares | -35.9% |
| 2019 | 4,646 hectares | +19.4% |
| 2020 | 3,772 hectares | -18.8% |
| 2021 | 3,778 hectares | +0.1% |
| 2022 | 4,952 hectares | +31.1% |
| 2023 | 3,377 hectares | -31.8% |
| 2024 | 1,533 hectares | -54.6% |
France compared with similar countries
- France's 1,533 hectares is above the median for high income countries, which is 152.21 hectares, 10.1× the median. (46 countries reporting)
- France's 1,533 hectares is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 70.29 hectares, 21.8× the median. (45 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 2,145 hectares | 992.43 hectares | 6,285 hectares | 9 |
| 2010s | 2,344 hectares | 428.87 hectares | 6,071 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 3,482 hectares | 1,533 hectares | 4,952 hectares | 5 |
Countries ranked near France
More reference data data for France
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 5.48 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 2.93 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 22.63 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 2.81 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 22.63 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 18.36 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 11.75 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 14.49 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 106.68 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 15.3 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is tree cover loss from wildfires in France?
- Tree cover loss from wildfires in France was 1,533 hectares in 2024, according to Global Forest Watch (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest tree cover loss from wildfires recorded in France?
- The highest recorded value was 6,285 hectares in 2004.
- What is the lowest tree cover loss from wildfires recorded in France?
- The lowest recorded value was 428.87 hectares in 2013.
- How does France rank for tree cover loss from wildfires?
- France ranks 43rd out of 152 countries with data for 2024.
- Is tree cover loss from wildfires rising or falling in France?
- Over the last ten years it is up 82.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this France data come from?
- The figures come from Global Forest Watch (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Tree cover loss from wildfires. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 24 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Tree cover loss due to fire with no visible human conversion or agricultural activity afterward. Fires may be started by natural causes (e.g. lightning) or may be related to human activities (accidental or deliberate).