Forest fires in crisis: experts warn of uncontrollable fires!

Forest fires in crisis: experts warn of uncontrollable fires!

On August 17, 2025, the Botanical Garden of the Technical University of Dresden will become a platform for a meaningful exchange about one of the most pressing environmental problems of our time: forest fires. As part of the event “Meet the luminary under the conifer,” Prof. Matthias Forkel, junior professor of environmental remote sensing, will speak about the causes, effects and strategies for preventing forest fires. The event starts at 3:30 p.m. and is aimed at anyone interested who would like to take the opportunity to ask questions and discuss their thoughts. The background for this event is the increasing summer drought, which is caused by the climate crisis and is drastically increasing the number of forest fires.

In 2022, this problem became particularly evident in Saxon-Bohemian Switzerland, where large areas went up in flames. Today, scientists and environmental organizations such as the WWF are faced with the challenge of thoroughly investigating the causes of fires. Prof. Forkel will discuss the role of modern satellite research, which makes it possible to analyze burned areas and thus develop new approaches to preventing forest fires. Further information about the event is available on the website of the Technical University of Dresden.

Global dimension of forest fires

The global situation is alarming: in 2023, around 26 million hectares of forests were burned worldwide. These wildfires released around 8.8 billion tons of CO2, which is more than fifteen times the annual CO2 emissions in Germany. According to information from Deutschlandfunk CO2 emissions from forest fires rose by 16 percent within a year. Even though slightly less area burned worldwide than in previous years, the intensity and destructiveness of the fires are increasing.

The reasons for this increase are complex. In addition to global warming, intensive logging, the conversion of forest areas and arson contribute to the problem. A WWF study highlights the need to shift the focus from firefighting to fire prevention. It would be urgent to protect existing forests through natural management and to reduce monocultures. These measures could make a crucial contribution to reducing future forest fires.

Regional impacts and damage figures

The consequences of the forest fires are not only ecologically but also economically catastrophic. In the first half of 2025, natural disasters caused damage amounting to $130 billion. Southern European countries and Canada are once again particularly affected. While Canada released 180 million tons of CO2 through fires, California experienced rainy season wildfires last winter that caused $53 billion in damage and 31 deaths. Forest fires also led to high CO2 emissions in Scotland. In Germany, 563 forest fires occurred in 2024, affecting an area of ​​334 hectares, which is relatively small compared to the years 2018 to 2022.

In fact, almost a third of Germany is covered by forest, which is crucial not only for recreation but also for the habitat of many species. The connection between wildfires and the climate crisis is undeniable, as the fires further exacerbate the already critical state of the climate. Loud ZDF It is essential to take measures to prevent the worst effects of these natural disasters.

The coming weeks will be crucial to respond to the threat of wildfires at both local and global levels and to find forward-looking solutions.