Tree cover loss from wildfires in Kenya
Kenya: Tree cover loss from wildfires was 87.2 hectares in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Tree cover loss from wildfires in Kenya, 2001–2024
Source: Global Forest Watch (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
The most recent figure for tree cover loss from wildfires in Kenya is 87.2 hectares, measured in 2024.
The figure is down 16.0% on the previous year and up 604.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, tree cover loss from wildfires in Kenya peaked at 310.49 hectares in 2019 and was at its lowest, 4.92 hectares, in 2004.
That places Kenya 91st out of 152 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.
Tree cover loss from wildfires in Kenya, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 17.46 hectares | — |
| 2002 | 24.16 hectares | +38.3% |
| 2003 | 25.92 hectares | +7.3% |
| 2004 | 4.92 hectares | -81.0% |
| 2005 | 7.62 hectares | +54.7% |
| 2006 | 56.85 hectares | +646.5% |
| 2007 | 27.46 hectares | -51.7% |
| 2008 | 14.39 hectares | -47.6% |
| 2009 | 8.92 hectares | -38.0% |
| 2010 | 35.54 hectares | +298.4% |
| 2011 | 15.23 hectares | -57.1% |
| 2012 | 22.54 hectares | +48.0% |
| 2013 | 47.08 hectares | +108.9% |
| 2014 | 12.38 hectares | -73.7% |
| 2015 | 299.64 hectares | +2319.7% |
| 2016 | 17.92 hectares | -94.0% |
| 2017 | 169.76 hectares | +847.2% |
| 2018 | 42.07 hectares | -75.2% |
| 2019 | 310.49 hectares | +638.0% |
| 2020 | 62.3 hectares | -79.9% |
| 2021 | 7.46 hectares | -88.0% |
| 2022 | 81.27 hectares | +989.6% |
| 2023 | 103.75 hectares | +27.7% |
| 2024 | 87.2 hectares | -16.0% |
Kenya compared with similar countries
- Kenya's 87.2 hectares is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 169.25 hectares, 52% of the median. (38 countries reporting)
- Kenya's 87.2 hectares is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 169.25 hectares, 52% of the median. (34 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Tree cover loss from wildfires in Kenya 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | +2319.7% | 12.38 hectares | 299.64 hectares |
| 2022 | +989.6% | 7.46 hectares | 81.27 hectares |
| 2017 | +847.2% | 17.92 hectares | 169.76 hectares |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 20.85 hectares | 4.92 hectares | 56.85 hectares | 9 |
| 2010s | 97.27 hectares | 12.38 hectares | 310.49 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 68.4 hectares | 7.46 hectares | 103.75 hectares | 5 |
Countries ranked near Kenya
- 88 Costa Rica 112.59 hectares compare
- 89 Bosnia and Herzegovina 103.49 hectares compare
- 90 Panama 100.93 hectares compare
- 92 Serbia 86.79 hectares compare
- 93 Ghana 74.81 hectares compare
- 94 United Kingdom 70.29 hectares compare
More reference data data for Kenya
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.5379 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 12.22 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 14.55 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.377 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 14.55 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.8 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 1.1 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 58.05 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 68.95 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 2.05 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is tree cover loss from wildfires in Kenya?
- Tree cover loss from wildfires in Kenya was 87.2 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 Kenya?
- The highest recorded value was 310.49 hectares in 2019.
- What is the lowest tree cover loss from wildfires recorded in Kenya?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.92 hectares in 2004.
- How does Kenya rank for tree cover loss from wildfires?
- Kenya ranks 91st out of 152 countries with data for 2024.
- Is tree cover loss from wildfires rising or falling in Kenya?
- Over the last ten years it is up 604.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Kenya 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).