The review examines the effects of forest fires on various properties of forest soils, emphasizing the impact of fire severity, which is influenced by factors such as peak temperatures and duration. Low to moderate severity fires, often prescribed in forest management, promote vegetation renovation by eliminating undesirable species and temporarily increasing pH and nutrient availability. However, severe fires, such as wildfires, cause significant negative effects, including the removal of organic matter, deterioration of soil structure and porosity, nutrient loss through volatilization, ash entrapment, leaching, erosion, and changes in microbial and invertebrate communities. Despite these impacts, prompt recolonization by plants can lead to the recovery and even enhancement of pre-fire soil properties. The review also discusses the long-term effects of fires on soil organic carbon, noting that while there is a initial loss of organic matter, subsequent reintroduction of vegetation can lead to a positive long-term increase in soil organic carbon. The qualitative and quantitative changes in soil organic matter, including structural modifications and chemical transformations, are detailed, highlighting the complex nature of these effects.The review examines the effects of forest fires on various properties of forest soils, emphasizing the impact of fire severity, which is influenced by factors such as peak temperatures and duration. Low to moderate severity fires, often prescribed in forest management, promote vegetation renovation by eliminating undesirable species and temporarily increasing pH and nutrient availability. However, severe fires, such as wildfires, cause significant negative effects, including the removal of organic matter, deterioration of soil structure and porosity, nutrient loss through volatilization, ash entrapment, leaching, erosion, and changes in microbial and invertebrate communities. Despite these impacts, prompt recolonization by plants can lead to the recovery and even enhancement of pre-fire soil properties. The review also discusses the long-term effects of fires on soil organic carbon, noting that while there is a initial loss of organic matter, subsequent reintroduction of vegetation can lead to a positive long-term increase in soil organic carbon. The qualitative and quantitative changes in soil organic matter, including structural modifications and chemical transformations, are detailed, highlighting the complex nature of these effects.