[Objective] The development law of natural vegetation fires and their response to drought in Northeast China during 2002-2017 was studied, so as to provide scientific basis for regional fire management, fire risk level prediction and forest resources protection.[Methods] Based on the published available Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer(MODIS) satellite products and the self-calibrating Palmer drought severity index(scPDSI)data, the seasonal and interannual characteristics of fire dynamics of natural vegetation in Northeast China were analyzed by using statistical methods, and the response law of fire dynamics to dry-wet conditions was explored.[Results] On seasonal scale, most forest and grassland fires occurred in spring and autumn, and grassland fire occurrence increased significantly in these two seasons. On inter-annual scale, forest fire occurrence decreased significantly at the rate of 18 times per year and their average burnt area increased faintly. Grassland fire occurrence showed an extremely significant upward trend at the rate of 36 times per year, and their average burnt area decreased faintly. There were linear and negative correlations between fire occurrence and scPDSI. But burnt area appeared exponential and negative correlations with scPDSI. Both average fire occurrence and average burnt area per individual fire showed an increasing trend with the deepening of drought.[Conclusion] Fire occurrence and burnt area per individual fire of natural vegetation could be increased under the condition of drought.