Forest fires rising across Africa's tropical nations, putting Congo Basin carbon sink at risk

New data from Greenpeace's Global Mapping Hub shows fire activity rising across large parts of Africa's tropical forests, especially in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Around a third of the country saw significantly more fires between 2001 and 2025 when measured in 100 sq km sections. The Congo Basin is the world's largest remaining tropical carbon sink, absorbing about 160 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year, but researchers warn that fires could help flip it into a carbon source. Human activity, including slash-and-burn farming, drives most fires, and climate change is making conditions hotter and drier. The last strong El Nino in 2015-16 already increased fire-driven forest loss in the region, and another big event could test the basin's resilience. At the same time, cuts to foreign aid are reducing fire-fighting and research programs. The article also notes that satellite systems likely miss many small understory fires, so the visible trend may understate the real risk.