Fire services issue extreme wildfire warnings as parched moorland and heatwave raise blaze risk

Fire and rescue services across England have issued urgent warnings about the risk of wildfires as the combination of soaring temperatures and bone-dry ground turns moorland, heath and forest into potential tinderboxes. The current heatwave, with temperatures forecast to approach 38C, has prompted authorities to declare heightened or extreme wildfire risk in several upland areas.

Firefighters say that after a dry spell, vegetation across the countryside has become highly flammable, meaning a single discarded barbecue, cigarette or shard of glass can spark a fire that spreads rapidly across vast areas. The North York Moors is among the regions placed on the highest level of alert.

National park authorities have responded by prohibiting barbecues, camping stoves and open fires on the moors, and by pleading with visitors to take the danger seriously.

Lessons from last summer's blazes

The warnings come with the memory of major moorland fires still fresh. Last summer's fire on Fylingdales Moor in North Yorkshire, which at its height spanned around 20 kilometres, swept across vast swathes of forest and moorland and was described by officials as a stark warning of the destruction wildfires can cause.

That blaze is believed to have been started by someone cooking using a naked flame, underlining how a moment's carelessness can lead to days of firefighting and lasting damage to fragile habitats.

“Simple actions such as avoiding disposable barbecues and taking your litter home can make a vital difference in reducing the risk of devastating fires.”

What the public is being asked to do

Fire services are emphasising personal responsibility, stressing that the overwhelming majority of wildfires in the UK are started by people rather than by natural causes. They are urging anyone visiting the countryside to think carefully about how their behaviour could contribute to a fire.

Beyond the immediate danger to life and property, wildfires release large quantities of carbon stored in peat, destroy ground-nesting birds and their chicks during the breeding season, and can take habitats years or decades to recover.

• Do not use disposable barbecues or camping stoves on moorland or in forests
• Avoid lighting any open fires in the countryside during dry weather
• Take all litter home, as glass and discarded bottles can ignite dry vegetation
• Extinguish cigarettes fully and never throw them from vehicles
• Report any sign of fire immediately by calling 999

A growing seasonal threat

Researchers warn that the conditions producing extreme wildfire risk in the UK are becoming more common as the climate warms. Hotter, drier spells reduce the moisture in soils and vegetation, creating the fuel that allows fires to ignite easily and spread quickly.

Studies of recent heatwaves have highlighted how multiple drivers can combine to create exceptional fire risk in normally temperate landscapes, putting growing pressure on fire services that are not always resourced for large-scale rural firefighting.

Background

Wildfires were once considered a rarity in the UK's damp climate, but the picture has changed markedly in recent years, with significant moorland and grassland fires now a regular feature of hot, dry summers. Upland peat and heather are particularly vulnerable, and fires there can smoulder underground for long periods, making them difficult to fully extinguish.

Conservation bodies have warned that repeated fires threaten internationally important habitats and the species that depend on them, as well as releasing carbon that undermines climate goals.

What happens next

Fire services say the wildfire risk will remain elevated for as long as the hot, dry conditions persist, and they will keep alert levels under constant review. With the school holidays and peak countryside-visiting season approaching, authorities are bracing for a busy summer and are appealing to the public to help prevent fires before they start.