Record number of wildfires in England and Wales in first six months of the year, fire chiefs warn
By the end of July this year, fire and rescue services had responded to 793 such incidents.
This was a 663% increase on the same period in 2024 (104 wildfires) and 33% higher than in 2022 (596), which was then a record year for wildfires.
The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has highlighted the figures as a major blaze burned across a moorland in North Yorkshire and authorities struggled to contain a fire in Dorset.
Up until 12 August, there were 856 wildfires in England and Wales amid the fourth heatwave of the summer.
The NFCC, which represents the UK's fire and rescue services, said the "unprecedented surge" had put firefighters under "huge strain".
"We are already seeing more wildfires at this point in the year than in 2022 - which itself was a record year - and that is deeply concerning," said NFCC chair Phil Garrigan.
Last Sunday, firefighters in Scotland struggled to contain a massive gorse blaze at Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh.
"Firefighters are already being pushed to their limits, with the major incident declared in Dorset and Wiltshire this week and the blaze at Arthur's Seat showing just how demanding and dangerous these events can be," said Mr Garrigan.
He warned that a wildfire could take crews days, sometimes even weeks, to bring under control and there was "a real human toll on our firefighters too who are undertaking the most arduous work in the toughest conditions".
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In England and Wales, wildfires are classified as those across an area of at least one hectare (10,000 square metres) and with flames more than 1.5m in length, and crews typically need to spend at least six hours fighting the blazes.
Mr Garrigan also called for more funding, noting there had been "sustained cuts" to crews.
Also, firefighter numbers have fallen by 25% since 2008 - the equivalent of 11,000 fewer "wholetime" firefighters, according to the NFCC.
However demand for firefighting services has grown, it said, noting: "Climate change is fuelling more frequent and intense extreme weather events, and wildfires are no longer a seasonal threat; they are a persistent and growing risk to life, property, and the environment."
Fire chiefs have urged people not to use disposable barbecues in open countryside, parks and moorland areas. In addition, they should not to throw away cigarettes, matches or glass bottles, as the objects can ignite dry vegetation.
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