Wildfire destroyed more German forest last year than usual

Germany lost a total of 2,626 hectares of forest to wildfire last year, more than three times the long-term average, the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food reported.

The office put the average between 1991 and 2024 at 844 hectares lost to wildfire each year.

A major fire in Gorischheide in Saxony at the beginning of July 2025 saw 1,867 hectares destroyed by fire.

Only in 1992, 2019 and 2022 was a greater area of forest hit by fire than in 2025.

There were 1,175 fires recorded last year, in line with the long-term average of 1,139, but double the figure recorded in 2024, when widespread rain limited forest fires.

The office said it estimated that around a fifth of last year's fires had been set on purpose.

Preliminary figures for this year are not yet available.