By Elodie Moreau, Environment Correspondent

August 21, 2025 - 6:47 PM CEST

(Geneva) – A new study released today reveals a dramatic acceleration in forest destruction due to wildfires globally, even in previously untouched and remote areas. Researchers are sounding the alarm about the increasing frequency and intensity of these events, and their devastating impact on ecosystems worldwide.

The study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, highlights a concerning trend: wildfires are no longer confined to areas with significant human activity, but are increasingly occurring in pristine forests, far from settlements or agriculture. This suggests a more complex interplay of factors, primarily linked to climate change, driving the rise in fire activity.

“Global forests provide essential ecosystem services, ranging from climate regulation to biodiversity habitat, but they are under increasing pressure from the combined impacts of climate and land use change,” the study authors note. “However, the increasing incidence of large-scale fires within intact forest landscapes requires urgent attention.”

This year has already seen a devastating surge in wildfires across multiple continents. Canada is currently experiencing one of its worst fire seasons on record, with over 500 active fires burning and nearly 6 million hectares already scorched. Earlier this year, massive wildfires raged near Los Angeles, while Australia continues to recover from the “Black Summer” of 2019-2020.

“We are witnessing a concerning shift in fire regimes,” explains Dr. Isabelle Dubois, lead author of the study. “The increased frequency and intensity of these fires are not just a result of climate change, but also of a feedback loop. Forests, once healthy carbon sinks, are now releasing carbon into the atmosphere, exacerbating the climate crisis.”

The implications of these widespread forest fires are far-reaching. Beyond the immediate loss of biodiversity and the disruption of ecosystems, the fires contribute to air pollution, threaten human communities, and accelerate climate change. Experts warn that without drastic action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and implement effective forest management strategies, the situation will only worsen.

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