Forest fires — Emissions in United States of America

United States of America: Forest fires — Emissions was 24,998 kt in 2024. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2024)
24,998 kt
Change on year
up 15.5%
Rank
17th
of 31 groups
All-time high
72,666 kt
in 2020
All-time low
8,762 kt
in 2001
Years of data
24
2001–2024

Forest fires — Emissions in United States of America, 2001–2024

020.0k40.0k60.0k80.0k2001201220242001: 8.8k kt2002: 22.0k kt2003: 22.4k kt2004: 20.0k kt2005: 16.3k kt2006: 18.4k kt2007: 29.7k kt2008: 32.0k kt2009: 17.7k kt2010: 13.9k kt2011: 21.8k kt2012: 18.7k kt2013: 21.2k kt2014: 20.7k kt2015: 38.5k kt2016: 20.0k kt2017: 36.7k kt2018: 34.0k kt2019: 16.9k kt2020: 72.7k kt2021: 50.3k kt2022: 27.1k kt2023: 21.6k kt2024: 25.0k kt

Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Measured in kt.

Analysis

The most recent figure for forest fires — emissions in United States of America is 24,998 kt, measured in 2024.

That represents a change of up 15.5% on the previous year and up 20.6% over ten years.

Over the whole period, forest fires — emissions in United States of America peaked at 72,666 kt in 2020 and was at its lowest, 8,762 kt, in 2001.

United States of America ranks 17th of 31 groups 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.

Forest fires — Emissions in United States of America, year by year

Annual values for Forest fires — Emissions (CO2) in United States of America, 2001 to 2024.
Year kt Change
2001 8,762 kt
2002 21,952 kt +150.5%
2003 22,357 kt +1.8%
2004 20,038 kt -10.4%
2005 16,350 kt -18.4%
2006 18,382 kt +12.4%
2007 29,674 kt +61.4%
2008 32,024 kt +7.9%
2009 17,693 kt -44.7%
2010 13,876 kt -21.6%
2011 21,769 kt +56.9%
2012 18,706 kt -14.1%
2013 21,232 kt +13.5%
2014 20,734 kt -2.3%
2015 38,534 kt +85.9%
2016 19,980 kt -48.1%
2017 36,666 kt +83.5%
2018 34,013 kt -7.2%
2019 16,933 kt -50.2%
2020 72,666 kt +329.1%
2021 50,349 kt -30.7%
2022 27,116 kt -46.1%
2023 21,634 kt -20.2%
2024 24,998 kt +15.5%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 20,804 kt 8,762 kt 32,024 kt 9
2010s 24,244 kt 13,876 kt 38,534 kt 10
2020s 39,352 kt 21,634 kt 72,666 kt 5

Countries ranked near United States of America

  1. 14 Thailand 30,823 kt compare
  2. 14 Timor-Leste 13.9 kt compare
  3. 15 Iran (Islamic Republic of) 0 kt compare
  4. 15 Micronesia (Federated States of) 0 kt
  5. 15 Republic of Moldova 0 kt compare
  6. 15 South Sudan 25,207 kt compare
  7. 15 Syrian Arab Republic 0 kt compare
  8. 15 Wallis and Futuna Islands 0 kt
  9. 15 Micronesia 0 kt
  10. 15 Polynesia 0 kt compare
  11. 16 Sudan (former) 24,078 kt compare
  12. 17 Paraguay 14,810 kt compare
  13. 18 Congo 14,405 kt compare
  14. 19 Ethiopia 11,513 kt compare
  15. 20 Australia and New Zealand 10,296 kt compare

See the full ranking of 234 places →

More climate change data for United States of America

All data for United States of America →

Frequently asked questions

What is forest fires — emissions in United States of America?
Forest fires — emissions in United States of America was 24,998 kt in 2024, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
What is the highest forest fires — emissions recorded in United States of America?
The highest recorded value was 72,666 kt in 2020.
What is the lowest forest fires — emissions recorded in United States of America?
The lowest recorded value was 8,762 kt in 2001.
How does United States of America rank for forest fires — emissions?
United States of America ranks 17th out of 31 groups with data for 2024.
Is forest fires — emissions rising or falling in United States of America?
Over the last ten years it is up 20.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this United States of America data come from?
The figures come from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, published as part of Forest fires — Emissions (CO2). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Forest fires — Emissions in United States of America. Statizoid, drawing on Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Retrieved 08 September 2026, from https://climate.statizoid.com/stat/forest-fires-emissions-co2-fao-tier-1/united-states-of-america/

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About this data

Indicator
Forest fires — Emissions (CO2)
Unit
kt
Source
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Licence
CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO (FAO)
Coverage
234 places, 5,513 data points, 2001–2024
Last refreshed

The FAOSTAT domain on Emissions from Fires consists of estimates of methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions generated from biomass burning in a range of vegetation types and from fires in organic soils.