Tree cover loss from wildfires in Italy
Italy: Tree cover loss from wildfires was 2,467 hectares in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Tree cover loss from wildfires in Italy, 2001–2024
Source: Global Forest Watch (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
Italy recorded 2,467 hectares for tree cover loss from wildfires in 2024.
That represents a change of down 18.1% on the previous year and up 14.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, tree cover loss from wildfires in Italy peaked at 10,550 hectares in 2017 and was at its lowest, 562.2 hectares, in 2003.
That places Italy 38th out of 152 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.
Tree cover loss from wildfires in Italy, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 1,146 hectares | — |
| 2002 | 992.09 hectares | -13.4% |
| 2003 | 562.2 hectares | -43.3% |
| 2004 | 1,557 hectares | +176.9% |
| 2005 | 1,520 hectares | -2.3% |
| 2006 | 722.55 hectares | -52.5% |
| 2007 | 1,881 hectares | +160.3% |
| 2008 | 3,649 hectares | +94.0% |
| 2009 | 1,634 hectares | -55.2% |
| 2010 | 706.39 hectares | -56.8% |
| 2011 | 1,204 hectares | +70.4% |
| 2012 | 3,592 hectares | +198.4% |
| 2013 | 3,805 hectares | +5.9% |
| 2014 | 2,165 hectares | -43.1% |
| 2015 | 1,213 hectares | -43.9% |
| 2016 | 3,443 hectares | +183.7% |
| 2017 | 10,550 hectares | +206.5% |
| 2018 | 7,783 hectares | -26.2% |
| 2019 | 2,563 hectares | -67.1% |
| 2020 | 1,557 hectares | -39.2% |
| 2021 | 7,105 hectares | +356.2% |
| 2022 | 4,982 hectares | -29.9% |
| 2023 | 3,013 hectares | -39.5% |
| 2024 | 2,467 hectares | -18.1% |
Italy compared with similar countries
- Italy's 2,467 hectares is above the median for high income countries, which is 152.21 hectares, 16.2× the median. (46 countries reporting)
- Italy's 2,467 hectares is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 70.29 hectares, 35.1× the median. (45 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Tree cover loss from wildfires in Italy 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | +356.2% | 1,557 hectares | 7,105 hectares |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 1,518 hectares | 562.2 hectares | 3,649 hectares | 9 |
| 2010s | 3,702 hectares | 706.39 hectares | 10,550 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 3,825 hectares | 1,557 hectares | 7,105 hectares | 5 |
Countries ranked near Italy
More reference data data for Italy
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 2.5 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 1.48 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 8.94 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.927 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 8.94 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 8.37 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 5.21 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 6.51 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 41.74 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 5.05 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is tree cover loss from wildfires in Italy?
- Tree cover loss from wildfires in Italy was 2,467 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 Italy?
- The highest recorded value was 10,550 hectares in 2017.
- What is the lowest tree cover loss from wildfires recorded in Italy?
- The lowest recorded value was 562.2 hectares in 2003.
- How does Italy rank for tree cover loss from wildfires?
- Italy ranks 38th out of 152 countries with data for 2024.
- Is tree cover loss from wildfires rising or falling in Italy?
- Over the last ten years it is up 14.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Italy 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).