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A firefighter works to extinguish the Highland Fire, a wind driven wildfire near Aguanga, California
Image: Mike Blake/REUTERSImage: Mike Blake/REUTERS

Wildfires

Wildfires devastate millions of hectares of forest every year. And, due to climate change, they are becoming more frequent and intense.

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All Content on this topic

A firefighter in protective gear directs a blast of water at flames engulfing a shed

US: Wildfire near Los Angeles forces thousands to flee

A massive wildfire is spreading across southern California, fanned by the powerful Santa Ana winds.
CatastropheNovember 7, 20246 images
Dokus KW 42

How land clearance is destroying Bolivia's forests

Bolivia is burning. For months, flames have been consuming huge swathes of forest and pastureland.
PoliticsOctober 15, 202428:34 min
A firefighter works to put out fires in the Brasilia National Forest, Brazil

Brazil faces worst fires in 14 years

A report said 22.38 million of landmass in Brazil caught fire in 2024. The area is comparable to the size of Belarus.
Nature and EnvironmentOctober 12, 2024
Todd Stern (a grey-haired man wearing glasses, white shirt, dark jacket and blue tie) in a DW interview

Todd Stern: Harris win would be a 'big relief' for climate

Former US special envoy for climate change Todd Stern speaks to DW's Louise Osborne.
ClimateOctober 11, 202414:52 min
the line of a fire burns across a once forested area

How to protect the Amazon and who should pay

The Amazon rainforest is battling drought, deforestation and fires. Where is the money to save it coming from?
Nature and EnvironmentOctober 4, 2024
Residents watch flames rising from a wildfire burns next to the village of Kallithea, near Corinth, Greece

Greece: Wildfires near Corinth kill 2 people

A wildfire fanned by strong winds tore across a rugged mountainous area in the Corinth region of central Greece.
CatastropheSeptember 30, 2024
A woman carries a dog amid smoke from fires in the Guapulo neighborhood of Quito, Ecuador

Wildfires threaten Ecuador's capital Quito

Firefighters are battling wildfires on the outskirts of Quito amid Ecuador's worst drought in 6 decades.
ClimateSeptember 25, 202401:43 min
Wildfires rage across northern Portugal

Wildfires rage across northern Portugal

Several deaths have been reported resulting from the blazes, and even now the worst may not over.
Nature and EnvironmentSeptember 20, 202401:44 min
Firefighters work to control a fire in Sever do Vouga in northern Portugal on Sept 16, 2024.

Portugal: Firefighters battle dozens of deadly wildfires

Several people have lost their lives in forest fires that have been raging in Portugal since the weekend.
CatastropheSeptember 17, 2024
Firefighters in Portugal, dressed in yellow high-visibility clothes, stand next to a pickup fitted out with a fire reel. The forest burns behind them while the air is full of smoke.

Wildfires in Portugal fanned by unusually dry September

At least three people die as firefighters in Portugal battle to save homes and people from wildfires.
CatastropheSeptember 17, 202401:51 min
View of the city of Santa Cruz; Bolivia, mostly covered by smoke from forest fires in eastern Bolivia

Bolivia declares national emergency due to wildfires

The worst wildfires in over a decade sweep through Bolivia. Indigenous groups say farming practices are partly to blame.
CatastropheSeptember 12, 202402:10 min
A fire-fighting plane flies over a forest shrouded in smoke and sprays red extinguishing liquid.

California's 'monster fires' force thousands to evacuate

Forest fires near Los Angeles are spreading at breakneck speed, with the governor declaring a state of emergency.
CatastropheSeptember 12, 20248 images
People walk across a street in Brazil, the sky clouded with wildfire smoke

Devastating wildfires cover South America in smoke

Brazil, Peru and Bolivia are fighting to contain the fires ripping through the planet's largest rainforest, the Amazon.
CatastropheSeptember 7, 202401:44 min
Wildfire in the Harz Mountains, Germany

Germany: Hundreds evacuated due to Harz Mountains fire

Multiple aircraft were deployed to help put out a fire in the Harz Mountains, with the blaze expected to last for days.
Nature and EnvironmentSeptember 7, 2024
Smoke rises from a forest on fire in Brazil

Heat and drought are fueling Brazil's 'fires pandemic'

Brazil is in the thick of a destructive fire season. How are deforestation and climate change making things worse?
Nature and EnvironmentAugust 30, 2024
Brazil Forest fires São Paulo - Drone image of a sugar cane plantation from above with fire and smoke clouds at the edge

Forest fires rage in Brazil

Severe forest fires in southern Brazil are under control — but the Amazon region is still burning.
Nature and EnvironmentAugust 29, 20248 images
A fire fighter works to put out blazes in a field in Brazil.

Brazil authorities declare 'war' on blazing wildfires

Two industrial plant workers died while fighting off the flames.
Nature and EnvironmentAugust 26, 2024
Doku | Doku | Urwald für die Stadt Aufforsten gegen den Klimawandel Brasilien

Urban forests — planting trees to combat climate change

Drought, forest fires and increasingly frequent storms. Climate change is destroying our forests.
ClimateAugust 25, 202426:05 min
DW Tomorrow Today Sendungslogo Composite

Tomorrow Today – The Science Show

Forests play a key role in climate. But around the world, they face mounting pressure and challenges.
ClimateAugust 24, 202426:04 min
People watch high rises surrounded by flames on Yamanlar Mountain in Karsiyaka, Izmir

High winds fuel wildfires in western Turkey

Fires also threatened the coastal city of Izmir, forcing thousands to evacuate their homes and businesses.
CatastropheAugust 18, 202401:59 min
Firefighters work to extinguish a fire burning near Kumkoy, in Gallipoli peninsula, Turkey

Turkey wildfires threaten homes and war memorials

Firefighters are tackling blazes across Turkey, including one that threatened World War I graves at Gallipoli.
Nature and EnvironmentAugust 16, 2024
An aerial view shows wildfire smoke rising over Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada

Wildfires, larger and more frequent, are here to stay

A new study confirms wildfires have become more widespread and destructive in recent decades.
Nature and EnvironmentAugust 16, 202403:25 min
Man stands on roof of a building in Athens

Wildfires: How under threat are cities?

As climate change intensifies wildfires, how can urban areas better prepare themselves?
Nature and EnvironmentAugust 16, 2024
A man speaks into a DW microphone in front of a burned-out house

Greek authorities draw criticism over handling of wildfires

As residents of Athens' suburbs return to their charred homes, many criticize the authorities' response to the fire.
CatastropheAugust 14, 202402:33 min
The dark silhouettes of firefighters wearing breathing masks illuminated by a massive forest fire

Wildfires in Greece: Blazes in front of the gates of Athens

Amid government inertia, fires in Greece have destroyed forests, emptied towns, and claimed at least one life so far.
CatastropheAugust 13, 2024
People stand on roofs looking into the smoke-filled sky.

Greece's wildfires claim first fatality

Wildfires in the northeastern of the capital, Athens, have claimed their first fatality as Greece asks the EU for help.
Nature and EnvironmentAugust 13, 202412 images
Burned cars are pictured outside a damaged factory following a wildfire in the Penteli area near Athens

Greece: 1 dead as wildfires bear down on Athens

At least one person has been killed and dozens injured as smoke and power outages plague the Greek capital.
CatastropheAugust 13, 2024
A firefighting helicopter drops water at a resurgence

EU to send help to Greece as wildfires threaten Athens

Several EU countries are sending reinforcements to Greek authorities to help combat wildfires encroaching on Athens.
CatastropheAugust 13, 202402:03 min
People flee a wildfire in Greece

Greece: Athens suburbs evacuated as wildfires spread

Hundreds of firefighters were dispatched north of the capital as smoke could be seen drifting over Athens.
ClimateAugust 12, 2024
Firefighters try to extinguish a wildfire burning in Dionysos, Greece

Greece: Wildfire rages 'out of control' near Athens

In Greece, firefighters and armed forces are battling a major wildfire spreading on the outskirts of Athens.
CatastropheAugust 12, 202401:38 min
Two fire fighters beside roaring orange flames

Wildfires: Is Europe doing enough to prevent them?

Climate change is fueling more frequent and intense fires across Europe. What is being done to prepare the continent?
Nature and EnvironmentAugust 12, 2024
A firefighter monitors the flames while defending a mobile home during the Park Fire in California

How do we fight wildfires as temperatures rise?

As wildfires again burn out of control, strategies to limit climate-fueled infernos include fighting fire with fire.
Nature and EnvironmentAugust 12, 2024
A firefighting helicopter makes a water drop as a wildfire burns in Varnava, near Athens, Greece, on August 11, 2024

Half of Greece on red alert as wildfires rage near Athens

More than 40 blazes have broken out across Greece, including several close to the capital, Athens.
Nature and EnvironmentAugust 11, 2024
A view of tress, cars and homes burnt and covered in ash

Hawaii announces $4 billion settlement in Maui fire cases

A multi-billion dollar settlement has been reached with multiple defendants, including county officials.
Law and JusticeAugust 3, 2024
A plane releases brightly colored fire suppressant above a forest in California

US: Wildfire races across California, thousands evacuated

Northern California is facing a large, fast-moving blaze, with authorities urging people in affected areas to evacuate.
CatastropheJuly 27, 2024
Firefighters on a break watch helicopters bucket smoldering wildfires in the forest outside of Jasper

Wildfires tear through Canadian mountain resort area

Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated in the western provinces of British Columbia and Alberta.
CatastropheJuly 26, 202401:28 min
An aerial photo shows wildfire smoke rising over Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada on July 24, 2024

Canada: Raging wildfire destroys tourist town

A fast-moving wall of flames descended on the town of Jasper, leaving a path of destruction.
Nature and EnvironmentJuly 26, 2024
An aerial photo shows wildfire smoke rising over Jasper National Park on Jul 23, 2024.

Wildfire reaches Canada's Jasper National Park

Firefighters are working to protect an oil pipeline in the Jasper National Park.
Nature and EnvironmentJuly 25, 2024
A view of a scorched landscape at sunrise/sunset

Drought, fire destroy Pantanal wetlands

The Pantanal has been in drought for months and huge fires are destroying large areas. What's going on?
CatastropheJuly 23, 202404:29 min
DW "Global Us" Sendungslogo Composite

Why is the Pantanal in Brazil burning? - Global Us

Iraqi artists make Baghdad colorful. Why is the Pantanal in Brazil burning again? Plus, how we can recycle more clothes.
Nature and EnvironmentJuly 19, 202426:04 min
Fotoreportage: Waldbrände in Brasilien | Pantanal Burning

Wildfires threaten world's biggest tropical wetland region

So far this year at least 700,000 hectares, or five percent, of the Pantanal have burned.
Nature and EnvironmentJuly 18, 202402:56 min
Fire damage near Oroville, California

California wildfires force thousands to evacuate

Firefighters were working to contain a major blaze near Oroville, north of the state capital Sacramento.
CatastropheJuly 4, 2024
A view of two people in protective clothing who are extinguishing a fire that started as a result of missile and drone attacks from Lebanon into Israel

Israelis near Lebanese border fear fires and full-scale war

Israeli firefighters and civilians report mounting cross-border strikes between the IDF and the Hezbollah militia.
ConflictsJuly 3, 202403:30 min
A wildfire in the Amazon rainforest

Brazil's Amazon sees worst 6 months of wildfires in 20 years

Climate change has caused parts of the Amazon to become drier and more prone to fires.
Nature and EnvironmentJuly 2, 2024
An early evening view of boats and yachts anchored at the Greek island of Hydra

Greece: 13 arrested after yacht fireworks spark wildfire

The blaze burnt the only pine forest on the island of Hydra.
CatastropheJune 22, 2024
A wildfire burning overnight in Diyarbakir, Turkey

Wildfires hit areas of southeastern Turkey, deaths reported

Authorities say at least five people have been killed by wildfires in southeastern parts. Dozens more have been injured.
CatastropheJune 21, 2024
Visitors and tourists at the famous Grand Canyon in the US state of Arizona in the USA

Wildfires across US trigger 'heat dome' phenomenon

Authorities have issued heat warnings for approximately 70 million Americans as temperatures soar across the US.
CatastropheJune 19, 202402:01 min
Woods in Brazil with a massive smoke cloud behind them

Climate change increases wildfire risk in Brazil

In the wake of heavy floods, Brazil is now facing massive wildfires in the country's Pantanal region.
ClimateJune 18, 202402:39 min
People on a hill, a small forest fire in the background

Restoring sacred forests in India

After suffering years of fires and deforestation, wildlife is returning to Tamil Nadu's Arunachala hills.
Nature and EnvironmentJune 18, 202405:01 min
A drone view shows a smoke from a fire rising into the air as trees burn amongst vegetation in the Pantanal

Brazil: Wildfires devastate Pantanal wetlands

Wildfires are raging through Pantanal, the world's largest tropical wetland. Slash-and-burn is the suspected cause.
Nature and EnvironmentJune 16, 20248 images