Tree cover loss from wildfires in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Tree cover loss from wildfires was 70.29 hectares in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Tree cover loss from wildfires in United Kingdom, 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 United Kingdom stood at 70.29 hectares.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 62.6% on the previous year and down 77.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, tree cover loss from wildfires in United Kingdom peaked at 1,969 hectares in 2009 and was at its lowest, 16.07 hectares, in 2018.
United Kingdom ranks 94th 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 United Kingdom, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 1,713 hectares | — |
| 2002 | 1,290 hectares | -24.7% |
| 2003 | 72.1 hectares | -94.4% |
| 2004 | 1,854 hectares | +2470.9% |
| 2005 | 360.48 hectares | -80.6% |
| 2006 | 1,431 hectares | +297.0% |
| 2007 | 1,158 hectares | -19.1% |
| 2008 | 573.63 hectares | -50.5% |
| 2009 | 1,969 hectares | +243.2% |
| 2010 | 722.43 hectares | -63.3% |
| 2011 | 421.75 hectares | -41.6% |
| 2012 | 487.48 hectares | +15.6% |
| 2013 | 678.87 hectares | +39.3% |
| 2014 | 308.25 hectares | -54.6% |
| 2015 | 29.27 hectares | -90.5% |
| 2016 | 86.52 hectares | +195.6% |
| 2017 | 105.19 hectares | +21.6% |
| 2018 | 16.07 hectares | -84.7% |
| 2019 | 25.61 hectares | +59.4% |
| 2020 | 32.37 hectares | +26.4% |
| 2021 | 32.67 hectares | +0.9% |
| 2022 | 76.57 hectares | +134.3% |
| 2023 | 43.22 hectares | -43.6% |
| 2024 | 70.29 hectares | +62.6% |
United Kingdom compared with similar countries
- United Kingdom's 70.29 hectares is below the median for high income countries, which is 152.21 hectares, 46% of the median. (46 countries reporting)
- United Kingdom's 70.29 hectares is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 70.29 hectares, 1.0× the median. (45 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Tree cover loss from wildfires in United Kingdom 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | +2470.9% | 72.1 hectares | 1,854 hectares |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 1,158 hectares | 72.1 hectares | 1,969 hectares | 9 |
| 2010s | 288.15 hectares | 16.07 hectares | 722.43 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 51.02 hectares | 32.37 hectares | 76.57 hectares | 5 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
More reference data data for United Kingdom
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 3.13 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 3.97 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 13.26 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 1.01 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 13.26 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 10.5 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 6.51 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 15.81 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 59.34 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 5.48 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is tree cover loss from wildfires in United Kingdom?
- Tree cover loss from wildfires in United Kingdom was 70.29 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 United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 1,969 hectares in 2009.
- What is the lowest tree cover loss from wildfires recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 16.07 hectares in 2018.
- How does United Kingdom rank for tree cover loss from wildfires?
- United Kingdom ranks 94th out of 152 countries with data for 2024.
- Is tree cover loss from wildfires rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is down 77.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United Kingdom 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).