The fourth version of the Global Fire Emissions Database (GFED4) provides global fire emissions estimates from 1997 to 2016. The model, based on the Carnegie–Ames–Stanford Approach (CASA) biogeochemical model, includes improvements such as new burned area estimates incorporating small fires, revised fuel consumption parameterization, and better representation of fuel consumption in frequently burning landscapes. GFED4 has higher spatial resolution (0.25°) and uses different emission factors to separate trace gas and aerosol emissions from temperate and boreal forest ecosystems. Global mean carbon emissions using the burned area dataset with small fires (GFED4s) were 2.2 × 10¹⁵ grams of carbon per year (Pg C yr⁻¹) during 1997–2016, with a maximum in 1997 (3.0 Pg C yr⁻¹) and minimum in 2013 (1.8 Pg C yr⁻¹). These estimates were 11% higher than previous estimates (GFED3) during 1997–2011. The increase was due to a 37% rise in burned area, mainly from small fires, and a 19% decrease in mean fuel consumption. GFED4s emissions were 1.5 Pg C yr⁻¹ when excluding small fires. The addition of small fires had the largest impact on emissions in temperate North America, Central America, Europe, and temperate Asia. GFED4s provides an internally consistent set of burned area and emissions that may contribute to a better understanding of multi-decadal changes in fire dynamics and their impact on the Earth system. GFED data are available at http://www.globalfiredata.org. The study highlights the importance of fire as a driver of biogeochemical cycles and ecosystem processes, particularly in tropical ecosystems. The results show that tropical savannas account for 62% of carbon emissions, while boreal forests contribute 9% of global fire carbon emissions. The study also discusses the temporal dynamics of fire emissions, showing that interannual variability is mainly driven by forest fires, with El Niño years contributing significantly. The inclusion of small fires does not influence these dynamics, while the modified conversion of burned area to fuel burned fraction causes a slight delay in the peak fire season, mostly in Africa. The study also discusses the modeled fuel consumption, showing that in savannas, fuel consumption in GFED4 is 30% lower than in GFED3, while in tropical forests, it is 45% higher than measured. In temperate forests, GFED4 average fuel consumption is 33% below measured values, while in boreal forests, it is 39% higher. The study concludes that the revised dataset provides a more accurate representation of fire emissions and theirThe fourth version of the Global Fire Emissions Database (GFED4) provides global fire emissions estimates from 1997 to 2016. The model, based on the Carnegie–Ames–Stanford Approach (CASA) biogeochemical model, includes improvements such as new burned area estimates incorporating small fires, revised fuel consumption parameterization, and better representation of fuel consumption in frequently burning landscapes. GFED4 has higher spatial resolution (0.25°) and uses different emission factors to separate trace gas and aerosol emissions from temperate and boreal forest ecosystems. Global mean carbon emissions using the burned area dataset with small fires (GFED4s) were 2.2 × 10¹⁵ grams of carbon per year (Pg C yr⁻¹) during 1997–2016, with a maximum in 1997 (3.0 Pg C yr⁻¹) and minimum in 2013 (1.8 Pg C yr⁻¹). These estimates were 11% higher than previous estimates (GFED3) during 1997–2011. The increase was due to a 37% rise in burned area, mainly from small fires, and a 19% decrease in mean fuel consumption. GFED4s emissions were 1.5 Pg C yr⁻¹ when excluding small fires. The addition of small fires had the largest impact on emissions in temperate North America, Central America, Europe, and temperate Asia. GFED4s provides an internally consistent set of burned area and emissions that may contribute to a better understanding of multi-decadal changes in fire dynamics and their impact on the Earth system. GFED data are available at http://www.globalfiredata.org. The study highlights the importance of fire as a driver of biogeochemical cycles and ecosystem processes, particularly in tropical ecosystems. The results show that tropical savannas account for 62% of carbon emissions, while boreal forests contribute 9% of global fire carbon emissions. The study also discusses the temporal dynamics of fire emissions, showing that interannual variability is mainly driven by forest fires, with El Niño years contributing significantly. The inclusion of small fires does not influence these dynamics, while the modified conversion of burned area to fuel burned fraction causes a slight delay in the peak fire season, mostly in Africa. The study also discusses the modeled fuel consumption, showing that in savannas, fuel consumption in GFED4 is 30% lower than in GFED3, while in tropical forests, it is 45% higher than measured. In temperate forests, GFED4 average fuel consumption is 33% below measured values, while in boreal forests, it is 39% higher. The study concludes that the revised dataset provides a more accurate representation of fire emissions and their