The effects of site conditions and thermal energy input on soil water repellency of dune-sand soils of the Borská níľina lowland (SW Slovakia) were evaluated. Composition of plant cover at three locations reflects soil genesis and moisture regimes. In investigated soil profiles, the severity of water repellency depends strongly on moisture regime of soils. The maximum Water Drop Penetration Time (WDPT) values exceeded 12 h in Dystric Regosol. In Arenic Umbrisol WDPT values did not exceed 60 s and Haplic Gleysol was wettable. Potential effect of wildfires on water repellency of the soils was investigated through laboratory experiments. Distinct increases in the persistence of water repellency were observed when the samples were heated for 20 minutes with maximas of WDPT observed at 150 and 200 °C. Water repellency disappeared after heating to 250 and 300 °C in the subsurface and topsoil horizons, respectively, due to organic matter decomposition. But it was necessary to repeat heating to 250 and 300 °C in order to eliminate water repellency in A horizons of selected soils.