Tree cover loss from wildfires in South Africa
South Africa: Tree cover loss from wildfires was 16,149 hectares in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Tree cover loss from wildfires in South Africa, 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 South Africa is 16,149 hectares, measured in 2024.
The figure is up 180.4% on the previous year and up 120.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, tree cover loss from wildfires in South Africa peaked at 25,152 hectares in 2017 and was at its lowest, 2,597 hectares, in 2004.
That places South Africa 22nd 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.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 4,020 hectares | 2,597 hectares | 9,577 hectares | 9 |
| 2010s | 10,924 hectares | 2,935 hectares | 25,152 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 10,074 hectares | 5,759 hectares | 16,149 hectares | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More reference data data for South Africa
- Spring temperature anomalies 0.191 °C (2026)
- Summer temperature anomalies 1.36 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month 0.6318 °C (2026)
- Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
- Autumn temperature anomalies 1.18 °C (2025)
- Winter temperature anomalies 0.2153 °C (2025)
- Consumer price index 209.92 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 tree cover loss from wildfires in South Africa?
- Tree cover loss from wildfires in South Africa was 16,149 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 South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 25,152 hectares in 2017.
- What is the lowest tree cover loss from wildfires recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 2,597 hectares in 2004.
- How does South Africa rank for tree cover loss from wildfires?
- South Africa ranks 22nd out of 152 countries with data for 2024.
- Is tree cover loss from wildfires rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 120.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa 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).