Burn area

(Also referred to as burn scar.)

The area affected by a wildfire, often in reference to a fire that occurred within the last several years.

Common effects of wildfire include reductions in vegetation cover, the thickness of organic material near the soil surface, and soil infiltration capacity. These changes can promote greater runoff during rainstorms, which increases the likelihood of flash floods and debris flows within and downstream of the fire-affected area relative to unaffected areas nearby.

The use of the term “burn scar” is being discouraged in favor of “burn area.”

Term edited on 20 November 2025.