Central Asia, as the world's largest azonal arid region, is characterized by high fire frequency. A comprehensive understanding of the characteristics and driving mechanisms of fire activity across different timescales in Central Asia is essential for effectively mitigating fire risks. In this study, based on analyses of charcoal, grain size, color, total organic matter, and AMS 14C dating, we present a middle-late Holocene fire activity record from Balikun Lake, eastern Xinjiang, China, and illustrate its possible driving mechanisms. The results indicate relatively stable and low fire activity from 7300 to 4375 Cal. yr B.P., as reflected by the low charcoal concentrations. Subsequently, from 4375 to 1200 Cal. yr B.P., fire activity increased significantly with large-amplitude fluctuations, and three prominent fire peaks occurred at 3670-2920, 2170-1610, and 1450-1200 Cal. yr B.P., respectively. After 1200 Cal. yr B.P., the fire activity decreased noticeably. By integrating climatic proxies and regional paleoclimatic records, we proposed that on the millennial-scale, intensified fire activity was associated with the increased biomass availability and was primarily regulated by moisture changes. On the centennial-scale, a coupling relationship between temperature and fire activity was identified. Notably, the influence of anthropogenic factors on fire-regime likely intensified during the late Holocene.