Wildfires Cause Record Tropical Forest Loss in 2024

A report by the World Resources Institute (WRI) paints a stark picture of global forest loss, with 2024 standing out as a particularly devastating year. The world lost 6.7 million hectares of tropical primary forests—and for the first time in two decades, wildfires, rather than agricultural activity, were the leading cause.

These fires released an estimated 3.1 gigatonnes (Gt) of greenhouse gases, more than India’s annual carbon emissions. This surge underscores the growing threat of wildfires to forests and global climate targets.

Forest loss in 2024 nearly doubled from the previous year. Wildfires alone accounted for 49.5% of tropical primary forest loss—up from just 13.3% in 2023. This trend wasn’t limited to the tropics; boreal forests in countries such as Canada and Russia also suffered extensive damage. While Canada’s 2024 fire season wasn’t as catastrophic as 2023’s record-breaking year, the country still saw twice the forest loss. In Russia, most losses occurred in Eastern Siberia, primarily due to fires.

Tropical primary forests are especially concerning. These mature ecosystems account for 94% of long-term, human-driven deforestation and play a critical role in biodiversity, carbon storage, and climate regulation.

WRI’s report quantifies this year’s forest losses and their causes and provides strategic recommendations for governments, industries, and communities. It urges immediate action to mitigate fire-driven deforestation and safeguard forests for the benefit of people, nature, and the planet.

Top 10 countries in forest loss in 2024

The report highlights major spikes in forest loss worldwide, with wildfires affecting nearly every region. Here’s how the top 10 countries fared:

1. Brazil. Topping the list, Brazil faced its worst fire season on record. It accounted for 42% of all tropical primary forest loss in 2024. Of the 2.82 million hectares lost, 66% (1.86 million ha) was due to fire, with the rest driven by other causes.”
   
2. Bolivia. Forest loss surged by 200% compared to 2023. Fires—often set for agriculture—were intensified by drought, affecting nearly 12% of the country’s land.
   
3. Democratic Republic of Congo. As one of the world’s poorest nations, many rely on forests for survival. The DRC experienced persistently high losses, while the neighbouring Republic of the Congo recorded a 150% increase, with 45% of the loss attributed to fire amid hot, dry conditions.
   
4. Indonesia. Bucking the trend, Indonesia reduced primary forest loss by 11% in 2024 through stronger protection and fire prevention measures. Losses were mostly near plantations, farms, and mines.
   
5. Peru. Forest loss increased by 135%, primarily due to agricultural burning.
   
6. Laos. Although forest loss decreased by 15% from the previous year, it still marked the second-highest total on record, driven mainly by agricultural expansion fueled by foreign demand.
   
7. Colombia. Forest loss increased by nearly 50%, though fire was not the primary cause. Instead, factors included declining forest governance, illegal activity, and land resettlement.
   
8. Cameroon. Forest loss here is mainly from human activity, not fires—99% attributed to agriculture, logging, wind damage, and shifting riverbanks.
   
9. Nicaragua. The country lost 4.7% of its primary forest in 2024, with a significant portion of the loss occurring in protected areas and Indigenous lands. Fires associated with agriculture and resource extraction accounted for 40% of the damage in the Bosawás Biosphere Reserve.
   
10. Mexico. Forest loss nearly doubled, driven by the largest fire season on record—over 8,000 fires. The expansion of cattle and soy farming is replacing forests on a large scale.
    

Key recommendations from the report

The rapid rise in forest loss in 2024 is a critical warning sign. WRI calls for immediate, coordinated action to address both fire-related and human-induced deforestation:

• Show strong political leadership to prioritise forest protection.
• Decouple commodity production (such as soy, palm oil, and beef) from deforestation.
• Invest in fire prevention and response, including early warning systems and rapid deployment teams.
• Crackdown on environmental crimes—illegal logging, mining, and land grabbing.
• Boost funding for forest conservation and restoration.
• Empower local communities to build sustainable forest-based economies.
• Align policies with global biodiversity goals, such as protecting 30% of land by 2030.

The urgency to act

The WRI’s findings are a wake-up call for the global community. Forests are not just reservoirs of biodiversity or carbon sinks—they are frontline defenders in the battle against climate change.

As wildfires grow more intense and human pressures persist, the choices we make now will determine the health of our planet for generations to come.

There is still time to turn the tide. By investing in forest protection, empowering communities, and holding industries accountable, we can move toward a future where forests are not victims of climate breakdown—but vital allies in the solution. The world is watching. The forests are burning. The time to act is now.

Learn more about the WRI report by visiting the link provided in the “Source” section below.