Global Deforestation Surges in 2024 Due to Fires, According to World Resources Institute

     The World Resources Institute (WRI) reported in May 2025 that global deforestation rose in 2024, triggered mainly by fires. WRI runs Global Forest Watch, which tracks global deforestation.

“For the first time on our record, fires — not agriculture — were the leading cause of tropical primary forest loss, accounting for nearly 50% of all destruction. This marks a dramatic shift from recent years, when fires averaged just 20%. Meanwhile, tropical primary forest loss driven by other causes also jumped by 14%, the sharpest increase since 2016.” 

     WRI’s press release about the updated 2024 data included that the Glasgow Leaders Declaration in 2021, pledging to halt and reverse forest loss by 2030, is seriously behind its trajectory.

     Fires are both wildfires and fires set to prepare an area for agriculture: crops and/or grazing. Fires are also major sources of pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions. They also destroy habitat. They can also strain local water supplies. Droughts in Brazil led to an increase in fires there in 2024. Fires in tropical regions are predominantly caused by humans.  

     In 2024. Brazil, followed by neighboring Bolivia, led global forest loss by country. The DRC in Africa moved back to third place. Bolivia’s increase was led by a majority of fires set to clear land for soy, cattle, and sugarcane. A severe drought allowed the fires to spread into bigger fires that were harder to control. The problem in Bolivia was blamed on both too much land clearing and inadequate fire response.

     A nearly 50% increase in forest loss in Colombia was blamed less on fires and more on clearing land for illegal mining and coca leaf production, two undesirable trends. Thus, corruption and organized crime are driving some deforestation.

     The Congo Basin of Central Africa also had an increase in fires due to drought and hot weather. The region of the DRC suffers from land clearing for cooking wood/charcoal and agriculture. Armed conflict also increased forest loss.

     Southeast Asia showed some reductions in forest loss, so that is a positive trend.

“Indonesia reduced primary forest loss by 11%, reversing a steady rise between 2021 and 2023. Efforts under former President Joko Widodo to restore land and curb fires helped keep fire rates low, even amid widespread droughts. Similarly, Malaysia saw a 13% decline and fell out of the top 10 countries for tropical primary forest loss for the first time.”

     In non-tropical countries, wildfires in Canada and Russia helped to lead to a 5% increase in global forest loss. 2024 was the worst year on record for fire-driven forest loss, and this is concerning. Solutions are possible, as successful policies have shown.

“To meet the global goal of halting forest loss by 2030, the world must reduce deforestation by 20% every year, starting immediately. In contrast, 2024 marked an 80% increase in tropical primary forest loss. To combat this loss, the world needs action on multiple fronts: stronger fire prevention, deforestation-free supply chains for commodities, better enforcement of trade regulations and increased funding for forest protection — especially Indigenous-led initiatives.”

     WRI’s Global Forest Watch runs in conjunction with the University of Maryland. They have a great map and dashboard that can be accessed. It “captures changes at approximately 30 × 30-meter resolution across all global land areas, except Antarctica and other Arctic islands.”

   

References:

 

RELEASE: Global Forest Loss Shatters Records in 2024, Fueled by Massive Fires. World Resources Institute. May 20, 2025. RELEASE: Global Forest Loss Shatters Records in 2024, Fueled by Massive Fires | World Resources Institute

Global Deforestation Dashboard. Global Forest Watch. Global Deforestation Rates & Statistics by Country | GFW