Fire disturbance is one of the most important factors that influences the ecosystem function of soil by changing its physical and chemical properties. To provide theoretical guidance for forest regeneration and management using fire disturbance, this study explored the influence of fire intensity on soil physical and chemical properties in different forest types. The effects of fire intensity (control, low, moderate, and high-intensity fire) and forest types on bulk density (BD), soil water repellency (SWR), soil organic matter (SOM), pH, total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and total potassium (TK) were determined in a field-scale experiment on 16 plots (20 m×20 m) in four secondary forests (Liquidambar formosana, Pinus massoniana-Schima superba, Cunninghamia lanceolata-Schima superba, and Sassafras tzumu-Cunninghamia lanceolata) in Zhuzhou and Xiangtan, Hunan Province, southern China, in 2014. The differences and trends in change of soil properties among the different fire-disturbance levels in the same forest and among forest types under the same fire-disturbance level were analyzed using descriptive statistical analyses, one-way ANOVA, and Fisher LSD test (P<0.05). BD, SWR, pH, and TK increased with increase in fire intensity, whereas SOM and TP decreased and TN was not altered with increasing fire intensity. Compared with the control group in the same stand, the effects of low-intensity fire on BD, SWR, pH, and SOM were not significant; however, moderate-intensity fire had some effects, and the effects of high-intensity fire were significant. Nevertheless, no significant differences were observed among TN, TP, and TK pre- and post-fire. There were significant differences in TN and TP between the different forest types after the same fire disturbance, whereas there were significant differences in BD, pH, and TP among fire intensities in the same forest type (P<0.05). BD, SOM, pH, and TK in secondary forests of L. formosana were significantly higher than those in the other forest types. The results indicated that fire disturbances and forest types played significant roles in altering soil physical and chemical properties. High-intensity fire had the greatest effects on soil properties. There were significant differences in soil properties between L. formosana and the other three mixed forests. BD, pH, and TP were significantly affected by fire intensity. BD, SOM, pH, TN, TK, and TP were significantly affected by forest types.