This chart illustrates the areas of primary forests lost due to wildfires and areas lost for other reasons worldwide between 2002 and 2023, in millions of hectares. Between 2002 and 2023, the number of hectares of primary forests lost annually increased, although a decrease has been observed in recent years compared to 2016, when a record 6.13 million hectares of primary forests were lost.
A primary forest is defined as one that has neither been exploited nor cleared by humans.
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WRI. (April 4, 2024). Areas of primary tropical forests lost due to wildfires and other reasons worldwide between 2002 and 2023 (in millions of hectares) [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 28, 2026, from /statistics/1638508/primary-forest-areas-lost-wildfires-and-other-reasons/
WRI. "Areas of primary tropical forests lost due to wildfires and other reasons worldwide between 2002 and 2023 (in millions of hectares)." Chart. April 4, 2024. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 28, 2026. /statistics/1638508/primary-forest-areas-lost-wildfires-and-other-reasons/
WRI. (2024). Areas of primary tropical forests lost due to wildfires and other reasons worldwide between 2002 and 2023 (in millions of hectares). ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 28, 2026. /statistics/1638508/primary-forest-areas-lost-wildfires-and-other-reasons/
WRI. "Areas of Primary Tropical Forests Lost Due to Wildfires and Other Reasons Worldwide between 2002 and 2023 (in Millions of Hectares)." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 4 Apr 2024, /statistics/1638508/primary-forest-areas-lost-wildfires-and-other-reasons/
WRI, Areas of primary tropical forests lost due to wildfires and other reasons worldwide between 2002 and 2023 (in millions of hectares) ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1638508/primary-forest-areas-lost-wildfires-and-other-reasons/ (last visited July 28, 2026)
Areas of primary tropical forests lost due to wildfires and other reasons worldwide between 2002 and 2023 (in millions of hectares) [Graph], WRI, April 4, 2024. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1638508/primary-forest-areas-lost-wildfires-and-other-reasons/
