Fire significantly affects forest soil properties, with effects primarily determined by fire severity, which is influenced by factors such as fuel type, moisture, and environmental conditions. Low to moderate severity fires, commonly used in forest management, promote vegetation renewal by eliminating undesirable species and increasing pH and nutrients. However, they can enhance soil hydrophobicity, leading to increased erosion. Severe fires, like wildfires, cause significant loss of organic matter, deterioration of soil structure and porosity, nutrient loss, and changes in microbial and invertebrate communities. Despite these effects, if vegetation recolonizes quickly, most soil properties can recover or even improve. This review summarizes current literature on fire effects on forest soils, highlighting the ecological implications. Fire severity is defined by intensity and duration, with intensity being the rate of thermal energy production. Temperatures in soil can reach up to 850°C, but deeper layers are less affected. Fire types include prescribed burns and wildfires, with prescribed burns being less severe. Soil properties can change temporarily, long-term, or permanently, depending on fire severity, frequency, and post-fire conditions. Organic carbon loss is significant, but long-term increases can occur due to factors like residue incorporation, transformation of organic materials, and nitrogen-fixing species. Fire also alters soil organic matter quality, reducing certain components and increasing others. Overall, while fires have negative impacts, they can also lead to long-term soil improvements under certain conditions.Fire significantly affects forest soil properties, with effects primarily determined by fire severity, which is influenced by factors such as fuel type, moisture, and environmental conditions. Low to moderate severity fires, commonly used in forest management, promote vegetation renewal by eliminating undesirable species and increasing pH and nutrients. However, they can enhance soil hydrophobicity, leading to increased erosion. Severe fires, like wildfires, cause significant loss of organic matter, deterioration of soil structure and porosity, nutrient loss, and changes in microbial and invertebrate communities. Despite these effects, if vegetation recolonizes quickly, most soil properties can recover or even improve. This review summarizes current literature on fire effects on forest soils, highlighting the ecological implications. Fire severity is defined by intensity and duration, with intensity being the rate of thermal energy production. Temperatures in soil can reach up to 850°C, but deeper layers are less affected. Fire types include prescribed burns and wildfires, with prescribed burns being less severe. Soil properties can change temporarily, long-term, or permanently, depending on fire severity, frequency, and post-fire conditions. Organic carbon loss is significant, but long-term increases can occur due to factors like residue incorporation, transformation of organic materials, and nitrogen-fixing species. Fire also alters soil organic matter quality, reducing certain components and increasing others. Overall, while fires have negative impacts, they can also lead to long-term soil improvements under certain conditions.