Wildfires devastating richer areas but fewer hectares burned globally – study
A new study reveals that while global wildfire damage reached its second-lowest level since 2002, wealthier nations experienced devastating 'megafires' in 2025. The reduction in total burned area is largely attributed to agricultural expansion in Africa, which has fragmented landscapes and prevented the spread of large fires.
Why it matters
This highlights a growing disparity in climate-related disaster impacts, where economic development and land-use changes in one region can paradoxically influence global fire trends while wealthy nations face increasing localized destruction.
‘Megafires’ in California, Canada, South Korea and Europe in 2025, but changes to farming slowed spread in parts of Africa “Devastating” wildfires ripped across the wealthier parts of the world in 2025, a study has found, even as globally, the area ravaged by flames fell. Catastrophic blazes claimed lives, homes and jobs last year in California, Canada, Europe and South Korea. But the 335m hectares burned was the second-lowest since 2002, the review found, largely owing to the expansion of African farms that have fragmented landscapes and hampered the spread of large savannah fires. Continue reading...
The report presents data-driven findings from a study without using loaded language or taking a political stance on the causes of the fires.
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