Germany is in the midst of a historic disaster. With 5,250 hectares of forest already burned (as of July 14, 2025), this year has become the worst for wildfires since data collection began in 1975. For comparison, even the previous record-breaking year of 2022 saw “only” 4,293 hectares burn. The growing threat is evident not just in the total area affected, but also in the geographic distribution of the risk.
South and East at Particularly High Risk
A look at the Wildfire Risk Index reveals drastic differences between Germany’s federal states. The index shows what percentage of each state’s land area is considered to be under a “particularly high threat from potential wildfires.”
The risk appears to be most pronounced in the southwest and parts of the east. In Saarland (68%) and Rheinland-Pfalz (56%), exceptionally large portions of the state’s territory are at high risk. Brandenburg (54%) and Sachsen-Anhalt (55%) also show risk levels significantly above the national average. The lowest threat is found in the city-state of Berlin, at just 4%.
A Historic Spike
The trend over the years is alarming. From 2006 to 2017, the total area burned annually typically remained in the double-digit to low triple-digit range. For instance, about 57 hectares burned in 2017, and 133 in 2013. Starting in 2018, the figures began to rise dramatically: 2,006 hectares during the 2019 drought year, followed by the 2022 peak of 4,293 hectares. The numbers for 2023 (975 ha) and 2024 (826 ha) indicated a significant respite before 2025 shattered all previous records.
Causes and Outlook
The reasons for this trend are multifaceted: increasing drought, rising temperatures, and more frequent extreme weather events. Inadequate forest management is also a contributing factor. Pine monocultures, which are especially common in eastern Germany, provide highly flammable fuel. Other frequent triggers include lightning strikes, arson, and sparks during dry spells.
According to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), the source of the data for this graphic, an increase in extreme wildfire seasons is being observed across Europe. Germany is not an isolated case.
Conclusion
The situation is serious. The year 2025 is not a statistical outlier but a wake-up call. Wildfire prevention must become a national priority in Germany. Fires can be mitigated through better early detection, smarter forestry practices, and robust climate action. Otherwise, the situation depicted on this map will soon cease to be an exception and become the new normal.
