A severe forest fire erupted in The Democratic Republic of Congo on September 1, 2026, and raged for nearly a week until September 10, causing extensive damage to local ecosystems.

The region has long been vulnerable to such events due to deforestation and climate change impacts, exacerbating the risk of wildfires.

This fire not only threatens biodiversity but also endangers the livelihoods of communities dependent on these forests for resources and income.