Fires starkly expand to their largest extent in the last decade, with a significant third instigated maliciously

In recent years, Germany has seen a significant increase in arson cases and fire incidents, with the authorities taking decisive action to apprehend the perpetrators. The police, particularly the criminal police (Kriminalpolizei) and public prosecutor’s offices in various regions, have been instrumental in the arrest of most suspects related to these cases, as evident in examples from Wuppertal and Altentreptow.

According to the latest data, around 100 arsonists have been detained this year, a notable increase from previous years. However, the number of arsonists detained in 2025 is not specified. The status of the majority of the detained arsonists remains unchanged, with the majority currently free.

The causes of the fires remain largely the same, with arson being the most prevalent, accounting for over 30% of the fires. Controlled burns and backfires contribute to another 25%, while reignitions account for 10%. The percentage of fires due to these causes has remained unchanged in 2025.

The total burned area in 2025 is approximately 255,000 hectares, the highest of the last decade. The most affected district in 2025 was Porto. Approximately one-third of rural fires from January 1 to August 31 were deliberately set, a figure that may have continued or increased for the entire year, but specific numbers for the entire year are not provided.

It's worth noting that less than 30% of the detained arsonists are under house arrest or preventive detention. The percentage of detained arsonists under such conditions remains unchanged in 2025.

The ongoing efforts to combat arson and control fire incidents in Germany are a testament to the authorities' commitment to ensuring public safety. As the data suggests, while progress has been made in apprehending suspects, more work is needed to address the root causes of these incidents and prevent them from occurring in the first place.

Fires starkly expand to their largest extent in the last decade, with a significant third instigated maliciously