Fires Were Responsible for 42% of Global Forest Loss in 2023

What We’re Showing

This graphic shows the amount of forests lost each year, from 2001 to 2023. Data was sourced from the World Resources Institute. The dark part of the trees represents forest loss from non-fire related causes, and the bright portion is forest lost due to fire.

Key Takeaway

While forest fire damage varies each year, there has been a clear upward trend since 2001. For example, 2020, 2021, and 2023 were the fourth, third, and first worst years for forest fires globally.

Another fact: the 11.9M hectares burned in 2023 is roughly equal to the size of Nicaragua.

Methodology

Researchers at the University of Maryland used Landsat satellite imagery to map the area of tree cover lost to stand-replacing forest fires (fires that kill all or most of the living overstory in a forest) annually from 2001 to 2023.