Wildfires worldwide · Country
DR Congo: wildfires seen from space, 2000-2026
From November 2000 to 15 October 2026, NASA's MODIS satellites detected 10,892,801 vegetation fires in this country.
- Fires detected since 2000
- 10,892,801
- World rank
- #1 of 223
- Share of the world
- 9.9%
- Record year
- 2024
- 20-year change (Aqua)
- +12%
Fires detected per year
Terra from November 2000, Aqua from July 2002. 2026 runs to 15 October.
Year by year data
| Year | Detections |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 79,028 |
| 2002 | 222,702 |
| 2003 | 385,060 |
| 2004 | 448,710 |
| 2005 | 453,943 |
| 2006 | 429,225 |
| 2007 | 390,332 |
| 2008 | 420,451 |
| 2009 | 450,158 |
| 2010 | 461,851 |
| 2011 | 433,089 |
| 2012 | 412,144 |
| 2013 | 468,914 |
| 2014 | 424,565 |
| 2015 | 475,424 |
| 2016 | 512,499 |
| 2017 | 455,939 |
| 2018 | 458,004 |
| 2019 | 458,146 |
| 2020 | 472,712 |
| 2021 | 479,879 |
| 2022 | 449,008 |
| 2023 | 452,541 |
| 2024 | 515,390 |
| 2025 | 399,397 |
| 2026 | 281,669 |
Fire season: average detections per month, 2003-2025
In short
2024 is the year with the most detections (515,390); the record month is July 2009, with 138,693.
The fire season is concentrated between June and August: these three months hold 64% of an average year's detections.
Against 2003-2012, yearly detections in 2016-2025 rose by 12% (Aqua satellite).
The average radiative power of a detection (Aqua satellite) went from 42.5 MW in 2003-2012 to 37.6 MW in 2016-2025.
In 2026 (to 15 October): 281,669 detections.
Method and sourcesFrequently asked questions
DR Congo: frequently asked questions
DR Congo: how many wildfires are there each year?
On average 448,147 vegetation fires detected a year by the MODIS satellites in 2003-2025, with a high of 515,390 in 2024.
DR Congo: are wildfires increasing?
Against 2003-2012, yearly detections in 2016-2025 rose by 12% (Aqua satellite).
DR Congo: when is the fire season?
The fire season is concentrated between June and August: these three months hold 64% of an average year's detections.
DR Congo: what was the worst year for wildfires?
2024, with 515,390 detections. The record month was July 2009, with 138,693.
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