The analysis of the temporal and spatial characteristics of forest fires can provide scientific and theoretical basis for preventing forest fires.Based on the data of forestry yearbook,the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of forest fires occurred in Northern China from 2003 to 2016 were studied with the emphasis of considering the high-casualty fires(HCFs).The results showed that 1)forest fires in Northern China were mainly concentrated in Inner Mongolia and Hebei,and the HCFs was mainly concentrated in Inner Mongolia and Shanxi.2)In terms of the temporal and spatial characteristics,the highest number of forest fires was in Inner Mongolia,followed by Hebei and Shanxi.Although the average annual forest fire number and fire area were higher in 2003-2011,it showed a decline trend in overall,and the decline trend was more obvious after 2011.3)In cluster analysis,according to the fire severity,three categories from high to low were obtained,among which,the forest fires in Inner Mongolia had the most obvious impacts on the environment,and the general fires and HCFs were more frequent.Forest fires in Northern China were closely related to climate changes and human activities and had obvious regional characteristics,therefore fire source management and prediction should be strengthened.