Wildfires worldwide · Country
Afghanistan: wildfires seen from space, 2000-2026
From November 2000 to 15 October 2026, NASA's MODIS satellites detected 6,196 vegetation fires in this country.
- Fires detected since 2000
- 6,196
- World rank
- #135 of 223
- Share of the world
- < 0.01%
- Record year
- 2010
- 20-year change (Aqua)
- −53%
Fires detected per year
Terra from November 2000, Aqua from July 2002. 2026 runs to 15 October.
Year by year data
| Year | Detections |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 227 |
| 2002 | 219 |
| 2003 | 469 |
| 2004 | 302 |
| 2005 | 194 |
| 2006 | 403 |
| 2007 | 270 |
| 2008 | 420 |
| 2009 | 281 |
| 2010 | 591 |
| 2011 | 333 |
| 2012 | 220 |
| 2013 | 216 |
| 2014 | 185 |
| 2015 | 112 |
| 2016 | 188 |
| 2017 | 228 |
| 2018 | 107 |
| 2019 | 149 |
| 2020 | 424 |
| 2021 | 236 |
| 2022 | 42 |
| 2023 | 87 |
| 2024 | 94 |
| 2025 | 104 |
| 2026 | 89 |
Fire season: average detections per month, 2003-2025
In short
2010 is the year with the most detections (591); the record month is July 2003, with 150.
The fire season is concentrated between June and August: these three months hold 32% of an average year's detections.
Against 2003-2012, yearly detections in 2016-2025 fell by 53% (Aqua satellite). In 2016-2021, before Aqua's orbit drift, the change was −38%.
The average radiative power of a detection (Aqua satellite) went from 46.0 MW in 2003-2012 to 28.3 MW in 2016-2025.
In 2026 (to 15 October): 89 detections; from January to September, −55% against the average of the same months in 2003-2025.
Method and sourcesFrequently asked questions
Afghanistan: frequently asked questions
Afghanistan: how many wildfires are there each year?
On average 246 vegetation fires detected a year by the MODIS satellites in 2003-2025, with a high of 591 in 2010.
Afghanistan: are wildfires increasing?
Against 2003-2012, yearly detections in 2016-2025 fell by 53% (Aqua satellite). In 2016-2021, before Aqua's orbit drift, the change was −38%.
Afghanistan: when is the fire season?
The fire season is concentrated between June and August: these three months hold 32% of an average year's detections.
Afghanistan: what was the worst year for wildfires?
2010, with 591 detections. The record month was July 2003, with 150.