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Forest fires are increasingly frequent and intense due to climate change and land-use alterations, posing significant ecological and environmental challenges. While much research has examined fire behaviour, vegetation loss, and atmospheric impacts, the effects on soil—an essential component of ecosystem health—remain underexplored in many review syntheses. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the current understanding of how forest fires influence soil physical, chemical, and biological properties. We examine the immediate and long-term impacts of fire on soil structure, organic matter content, nutrient cycling, pH, hydrophobicity, and erosion potential. Special attention is given to how fire severity, frequency, and vegetation type mediate these effects. The review also highlights the feedback mechanisms between soil degradation and post-fire vegetation recovery, as well as implications for forest management and restoration practices. Understanding the role of soil properties in forest fire dynamics and recovery is essential for developing resilient ecosystems in fire-prone regions. This review underscores the need for integrative, soil-centred approaches in both fire ecology research and forest management strategies.
Forest fire, soil quality, carbon content, soil moisture, nutrient availability.
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