Wildfires are a global issue, but Africa stands out as the epicentre. Since 2012, the continent has consistently accounted for more than 55% of the world’s wildfire-affected areas. This dominance underscores the vulnerability of Africa’s vast savannahs, grasslands, and forest ecosystems to these natural disasters.
In contrast, no other region comes close to this level of concentration. North and South America follow as the second most affected, with wildfire shares fluctuating between 15% and 25%. Asia has remained steady at around 10%, while Europe and Oceania each contribute just 5% annually.
This pattern shows that while wildfires occur across all continents, their scale in Africa is uniquely outsized. The implications are significant: biodiversity loss, disruptions to livelihoods, and economic challenges, particularly in rural areas where communities depend heavily on land and vegetation for survival.
