Tag: wildfires

Emergency Alert sent to England and Wales as UK Government steps up wildfire response

People across England and Wales receive an Emergency Alert on their phones as the Government steps up action to protect communities from the growing threat posed by wildfires

  • Emergency Alert to be sent to people across England and Wales as wildfire risk remains very high
  • Prime Minister visits fire-hit communities and announces support package for firefighters and local residents
  • Immediate ban on disposable barbecues introduced to help prevent further fires

People across England and Wales have received an Emergency Alert on their phones as the Government steps up action to protect communities from the growing threat posed by wildfires.

The alert, sent on a rolling basis from approximately 19:00 last night, warns people not to light anything that could spark a fire, including barbecues, campfires, and fireworks. Recipients will also be urged to report any fire immediately by calling 999.

The move comes as firefighters continue to battle the effects of major incidents across parts of the country, following some of the most challenging conditions seen in recent years.

The Prime Minister visited Stourbridge yesterday to meet residents affected by wildfire damage and thank firefighters, emergency responders and local resilience partners who have worked around the clock to protect lives and property.

As part of the Government’s action to protect local areas and prevent further fires, the Prime Minister announced a package of immediate support for communities and frontline services.

This includes emergency funding for fire and rescue services facing the greatest operational pressures, military assistance in South Wales where around 100 personnel have been immediately deployed to support response and recovery efforts, and a temporary nationwide ban on the sale of disposable barbecues. A further 100 members of the Armed Forces will deploy this evening.

Retailers have been informed that disposable barbecues must be removed from sale immediately. The temporary measure will remain under review but will stay in place while the heightened wildfire risk continues.

The Government is also calling on insurers to process claims as quickly as possible for affected households and businesses, ensuring families receive support without unnecessary delay.

For areas hardest hit by wildfire damage, the Bellwin Scheme remains available to help local authorities meet exceptional recovery costs, while ministers stand ready to consider requests swiftly.

Alongside the immediate response, the Government is looking at longer-term resilience. Later this year, ministers will convene a national wildfire summit bringing together fire chiefs, the National Fire Chiefs Council, the Fire Brigades Union and other partners to strengthen future preparedness and consider what additional capabilities may be required to respond to increasingly severe weather events.

The summit will build on the Government’s existing investment in wildfire resilience, including £97 million for fire service training and specialist equipment.

The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government has also written to local authorities across England reminding them of the powers available to restrict activities that could increase fire risk, including the use of Public Spaces Protection Orders to limit barbecues, campfires and other forms of open fire in vulnerable areas.

The Government is working closely with local authorities, emergency services and devolved administrations to monitor conditions and take further action where necessary.

The latest measures follow a meeting of COBR chaired by the Prime Minister earlier this week. To reduce the pressures on emergency services, people are reminded to be extra cautious in the dry conditions. This means:

  • Do not light fires, or open flames, in the countryside or other open spaces, including parks, moorland and wooded areas. 
  • Never leave a household barbecue unattended and ensure it is fully extinguished after use.
  • Dispose of smoking materials carefully and never throw cigarette ends from vehicles.
  • Take litter home, particularly glass bottles which can intensify sunlight and increase fire risk.
  • Call 999 immediately if they see signs of a fire.

First Secretary, Louise Haigh, said: “In response to the continued risk proposed by wildfires, the government has taken the decision to issue an Emergency Alert to England and Wales. This is the most extensive use of the UK’s Emergency Alert system in response to an active incident, and reflects the seriousness with which the government is acting to safeguard people and property.

“During this period of extreme heat, we are asking people to take simple steps to limit the risk of further fires. By following the safety guidance, everyone can play their part in protecting local communities and supporting our frontline services who are working around the clock to keep people safe.

“The government will continue to provide every assistance to communities being impacted by these fires, including the deployment of 100 additional military personnel in major incident areas.”

Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Angela Rayner said: “It is awful to see the devastation fires have caused across the country. I’m very grateful to all the first responders working so hard to keep people safe. A number of firefighters were taken to hospital as a result of incidents yesterday and I pay tribute to their bravery and commitment.

“As the Prime Minister said, we will do everything to make sure our fire services have the resources they need from us and our support to deal with the unprecedented risks being driven by this heatwave.

“As well as supporting firefighters on the ground now, my department will hold a summit bringing together fire chiefs, the National Fire Chiefs’ Council, the Fire Brigades Union and other key organisations to look at our future response.

“To the residents affected, particularly those who lost their homes and their life’s possessions to fire – we will work with the mayor and local leaders to make sure you are supported.”

Support for Cairngorms businesses

Scootish Government funding to help impact of wildfire

Businesses affected by the wildfire in the Cairngorms will receive a share of up to £3 million of Scottish Government funding.

The grants will be available through the Highland Council’s support scheme for businesses affected by the Cairngorms wildfire. 

Economy and Tourism Secretary Stephen Flynn said: “The wildfire in the Cairngorms National Park has had a significant impact on many businesses, particularly those premises within the cordon that have been unable to trade.

“I want to thank business owners, employees and local residents for their patience and understanding of the necessary precautions put in place by emergency services to tackle the fire and maintain public safety.

“We understand the difficult position that many now face which is why I am pleased to be able to confirm up to £3 million for the Highland Council to support affected businesses directly.

“This will provide immediate relief for impacted businesses but we will continue to work closely with the Highland Council, HIE and Cairngorms National Park Authority on what further support may be required for the area in the longer term.”

The fund will be administered by The Highland Council with a focus on helping businesses recover from the impact of the wildfire, maintain business continuity and support longer-term recovery.

They will release full details of how to apply in the coming days.

Leading environmental charities call on public to fight alongside nature against climate change

  • UK environmental charities on the frontline of the climate crisis come together to encourage Brits to join nature’s fight against climate change
  • Nearly 7.5 million Brits say the environment and conservation is the cause most likely to inspire them to volunteer, with over 12 million naming volunteering to support animals, as record-breaking heat, wildfires and extreme weather bring the climate crisis closer to home

Leading environmental charities, alongside Royal Voluntary Service and digital volunteering platform GoVo, are calling on the public to join nature’s fight for survival as record-breaking temperatures, wildfires and extreme weather bring the impacts of climate change closer to home.

Research from Royal Voluntary Service reveals that almost 7.5 million adults identify environment and conservation as the cause they would be most likely to volunteer for, while more than 12.3 million adults say supporting animals would most inspire them to give their time. 

Yet despite the appetite, charities are still urgently looking for more support with more than 750 environment, conservation, and animal welfare roles on GoVo still in need of volunteers.

The findings come as leading environmental and conservation charities, including The Conservation Volunteers, Keep Britain Tidy, Marine Conservation Society and  Chester Zoo, unite alongside Royal Voluntary Service and GoVo to urge more people to turn concern into action and support nature’s survival against climate change.

Together, the group of charities are calling on people across Britain to get involved with local projects that restore habitats, protect wildlife and strengthen the natural environments on which people and animals depend. 

The call from the charities coincides with ITV’s ground breaking new natural history series, Force of Nature, which follows wildlife fighting back against the escalating impacts of climate change. ITV and Royal Voluntary Service hope that the series will inspire people to take action to support climate resilience through volunteering.

Love Actually and The Walking Dead actor, and Force of Nature narrator, Andrew Lincoln, said: “I feel privileged to be a part of Force of Nature, it is an extraordinary tv series about the impact of the climate crisis on animal survival. 

“It’s three years in the making and highlights the astonishing ways animals are adapting to extreme weather and how the people working alongside are helping them to survive.

“It gives an important message of hope that every one of us can play a part in making a difference. Across the country charities on the frontline of environmental and animal conservation need help. By stepping forward to volunteer you can become part of the urgent effort to protect our natural world.”

The call follows one of Britain’s most extraordinary summers on record. England recorded its hottest June day ever at 37.7°C, while the month itself became the warmest on record. Temperatures above 35°C have now been recorded in May, June and July within the same year for the first time in weather history and the UK’s ten warmest years on record have all occurred since 2002.  

Major fires have once again scorched British countryside this summer, while England’s rivers last year experienced their second-lowest March to August flows since records began in 1961.

The kind of climate impacts that Brits once watched unfold elsewhere are becoming an increasingly familiar part of life in Britain.

Jo Morison, Volunteer Manager at Chester Zoo, said: “Climate change isn’t a distant threat to the species we work to save – it’s wildfires tearing through the Cairngorms, where Scottish wildcats are being released back into the wild, and moorland near Manchester, where we helped bring back a butterfly once lost from the region.

“Nature is resilient, but it needs help fighting back. That’s why volunteering matters more than ever.

“Chester Zoo is already working with nature volunteers across Cheshire through our Networks for Nature project, helping the county to reach its biodiversity targets. We very much encourage anyone interested in volunteering to search online for similar schemes near them, and get involved.”

Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, CEO of Keep Britain Tidy, said: “The job to take care of our environment is urgent, and it is everybody’s business to protect the places not only we – but wildlife and marine life – call home.

“I say to any person who thinks the challenge is insurmountable, or that their actions alone cannot make a dint in the problem, that together, person by person, day by day, we can make a huge difference to the environment on our doorstep.”

Catherine Johnstone CBE, CEO of Royal Voluntary Service, said: “Throughout history, communities across Britain have come together in response to society’s most urgent challenges. Climate change is one of the defining challenges of our time, and volunteering gives people a practical way to be part of the solution.

“Whether it is protecting green spaces, supporting wildlife or helping communities become more resilient, every contribution matters. Small actions, multiplied by millions of people, can create lasting change that will impact our generations to come.”

Sandy Luk, CEO at the Marine Conservation Society, said:“Volunteering for the ocean is one of the most powerful ways you can make a difference to the climate crisis. Our ocean is our greatest ally in tackling climate change, but it is under increasing pressure from human activity.

“Whether you’re reporting seaweed types and jellyfish sightings to help scientists understand how our seas are changing, or collecting and recording litter to drive action on the causes of pollution, every contribution helps to protect the ocean we all depend on.”

There are hundreds of opportunities to volunteer and join the global effort by supporting frontline environment, conservation, and animal welfare charities on GoVo, made possible thanks to support from Postcode Lottery players.

GoVo connects people with bite-sized volunteering opportunities that fit easily into everyday life, including:

  • Getting hands-on to preserve and enhance local forests. 
  • Supporting and protecting local wildlife from helping sick or injured animals, to creating habitats.
  • Restoring wetlands and cleaning beaches and waterways. 
  • Monitoring and caring for bats, seals, butterflies, hedgehogs, bees and birds.
  • Joining a green gym combining practical outdoor activities with the benefits of exercise and nature.
  • Organising and supporting community events to engage and inspire more people. 
  • Digital and remote volunteering to raise awareness, advocate for charities and monitor wildlife.

Those inspired to join nature in the fight against climate change can find environmental, conservation, and animal-related volunteering opportunities in their area at GoVo.org.

Sanne Dijkstra-Downie MSP: Wildfires across Europe show climate emergency can no longer be ignored

Following the recent wildfire in Holyrood Park, Sanne Dijkstra-Downie MSP has warned that the growing numbers of major wildfires seen across Scotland and Europe highlights the urgent need to recognise the scale of the climate emergency and strengthen efforts to tackle its causes.

Recent weeks have seen devastating wildfires spread across parts of Spain and France, while Scotland has also experienced significant blazes, including within the Cairngorms National Park.

These incidents are evidence of a new and worrying trend of hotter, drier conditions resulting in an increase in the frequency and intensity of wildfires.

We are also seeing an increase in fires in habitats that used to be much more resilient to such events.

Wildfires have a long-lasting impact on the affected areas causing lasting damage to natural habitats, threatening wildlife and releases large amounts of stored carbon into the atmosphere. They also pose a significant risk to the safety of the communities who live in their vicinity of such fires.

France is currently seeing the largest peacetime evacuation in its history and Bordeaux, a city with a million people living in its urban area, is threatened with destruction.

Commenting, Sanne Dijkstra-Downie MSP said: “The fire that occurred in Holyrood Park was not an isolated incident. Across Europe we can witness the growing consequences of a changing climate. These events serve as a stark warning that the climate emergency is not a future problem, it is happening right now.

“Climate change is creating the conditions for longer periods of hot, dry weather, making destructive wildfires more common and more severe.

“We must respond with the urgency this crisis demands by accelerating our actions to reduce emissions, protect and restore our natural environment and invest in climate adaptation measures that make our communities more resilient.”

Preparing for wildfires

Learning lessons and building resilience

Representatives of organisations involved in tackling the wildfires which took place across Scotland this year came together yesterday to reflect on how to prevent future incidents.

The event is a result of Scotland enduring the largest wildfires in living memory, with 13 wildfire alerts in Scotland this year alone and Dava in the Highlands enduring the worst damage.

It was co-chaired by Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie and Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown in the Cairngorms National Park and attendees included the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), NatureScot, Scottish Land and Estates, land managers and environmental organisations.

Mr Fairlie said: “It took an astonishing effort across so many sites to tackle the wildfires we saw this year, and we are grateful to all those who helped.

“This is a chance for us to look at what worked, and what lessons we need to learn from what happened.”

Ms Brown said: “Since the wildfires, we’ve engaged closely with SFRS, local communities and Scottish public sector bodies on building resilience to wildfires.

“We continue to support the full implementation of the SFRS wildfire strategy, which will see the continued roll-out this year of new equipment, vehicles and Personal Protective Equipment.”

SFRS Director of Prevention, Assistant Chief Officer Jon Henderson said: “This year Scotland has faced an unprecedented scale of wildfire risk, and our crews have attended more than 200 wildfires across the country.

“Wildfires can employ a significant amount of our resources, they also have the potential to burn for days and devastate vast areas of land and wildlife, threatening the welfare of nearby communities.

“We will continue to work closely with our partners, landowners and communities in both our response and importantly to help prevent wildfires, and we welcome the opportunity to participate in this summit.”

Head of Land Management at the Cairngorms National Park Authority, Colin McClean, said: “The Park Authority welcomes this event, which provides an opportunity for critical conversations to take place on wildfire mitigation and management.

“Alongside ministers and stakeholders, we look forward to discussing solutions for building on the work we are already doing here in the National Park.

“Through our Integrated Wildfire Management Plan, the Climate Adaptation Fund and the new fire byelaw (recently approved by Scottish Ministers and coming into effect in 2026), we are putting in place clear, practical measures to reduce the risk of wildfire. Coming together at events like this will help strengthen that work and ensure we are as prepared and resilient as possible.”

A roundtable discussion with MSPs will be held following Parliamentary recess to share the findings from wildfire engagements to date and to give parliamentarians the opportunity to make contributions before any next steps.

Arthur’s Seat Fire: experts warn of glass bottle fire risk

Sunday’s wildfire at Edinburgh’s Arthur’s Seat, was thought to have been started by ‘human activity’. While this could be a range of things, one possible reason could be discarded litter.

Glass waste experts at BusinessWaste.co.uk warn locals that discarded litter, particularly glass, left in direct sunlight and near grass, can ignite and spread quickly. To help reduce the risk of more fires, they are urging locals to carefully dispose of empty glass bottles to prevent fires. 

What’s the risk?

Wildfires are on the rise, with research finding that by April 2025, the UK had already surpassed records for the area of land burnt by wildfires.

So far this year there have been 175 fires, burning an area of over 40,000 hectares – that’s an area more than twice the size of the city of Glasgow.

Fires like these are becoming more common due to climate change. One study found that human-induced climate change makes the dangerous conditions needed for wildfires at least six times more likely.

Why is glass waste an issue?

Glass waste, specifically any that’s clear or curved like drinks bottles, can act as a magnifying glass in direct sunlight and start fires. The magnifying effect of glass can project the sun’s rays onto dry material like grass, wood, or paper. When this reaches a certain temperature it can ignite a fire. Combine this with dry and windy conditions, and fires spread quickly.

While this may sound an unlikely combination of factors, it’s more common than many people realise. For example, a fire in the Peak District in May was attributed to discarded bottles, and a similar situation was seen on the Isle of Arran in April. 

Outside of wildfires, glass also poses a risk in the home. Residents should be careful when disposing of glass into open top bins, especially when combined with other combustible materials found in dry mixed recycling, such as paper and cardboard. Alongside this, a single glass bottle left on dry garden grass could be enough to start a fire. 

Beyond the obvious risk to health and life, wildfires, especially those that burn the UK’s moorland, can be ecologically devastating. They can wipe out whole ecosystems and make local areas more prone to future flooding. 

How should you dispose of glass?

If you take any glass bottles with you to open outdoor spaces, you should always take them home with you. Never leave glass exposed in direct sunlight for long periods of time, especially alongside dry vegetation and materials like paper and cardboard. 

Glass should always be recycled. Waste glass is a valuable resource that can be constantly recycled into new glass products. If glass is sent to landfill, the raw material is lost and more must be mined to create new products. Recycling glass saves up to 30% of the energy compared to making new glass from raw materials.

What to do if you spot a fire

First, ensure you get yourself and anyone you are with to safety. Once you have done so, call 999 to report the fire. Try to give as much detailed information as you can about the location – What3Words can be helpful to pinpoint fires. Never attempt to put out a wildfire yourself, as these types of fires can behave erratically. 

What are the consequences if your litter leads to a fire?

If your litter causes a fire, and you left this ‘deliberately’ or ‘recklessly’, this might be classed as arson5 under the Criminal Damage Act 1971. This could result in a criminal record, unlimited fines, and even a prison sentence. 

Littering itself can see you issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of up to £500, or a fine in court of up to £2,500.

Graham Matthews, glass waste expert at BusinessWaste.co.uk, said: “Many people aren’t aware of the danger discarded glass poses. But as the weather heats up, it’s essential that the public are careful with all waste.

“We know that climate change is only escalating the risk of wildfires across the UK, and we have seen many concerning instances of just a single glass bottle being responsible for burning huge swathes of the countryside. 

“We urge people to be responsible and considerate with any glass waste, both in and outside the home. You should always take your litter with you regardless, but the consequences are so much higher in hot, dry weather.

“While leaving glass bottles unattended or littered may seem like a simple moment of carelessness, the lasting impact on our environment can be huge.”

Scotland’s Resilience committee responds to huge wildfire

SGoRR met last night to discuss ongoing situation

The Scottish Government’s Resilience Room (SGoRR) met last night to discuss the response to an ongoing wildfire in the Galloway area.

The meeting was chaired by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs, Angela Constance, and attended by partner agencies including Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and Forestry and Land Scotland.

The meeting heard that progress has been made in bringing the fire under control today, but that the incident remains ongoing. People are being urged to stay away from the area and any nearby residents should keep their doors and windows closed.

Ms Constance said: “I am extremely grateful to all the first responders who have been working hard to control this fire since it was first reported on Thursday. Thanks to their efforts, significant progress has been made and the situation is currently under control.

“I am reassured to hear that so far there has been no damage to properties or mature woodland. However, this remains an on-going incident and the situation will be re-assessed at first light.

“Earlier this week the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service issued an extreme wildfire warning due to the dry conditions across much of Scotland.

“As we continue to see a period of warm and dry weather, it’s essential that all of us act responsibly while enjoying the outdoors so we can keep the number of wildfires at an absolute minimum.”

An extreme wildfire warning was issued by SFRS last week.

Fire Brigades Union: Governments must ‘heed stark warning’ of Scottish wildfire visible from space

This week, firefighters have battled a wildfire that started burning on Sunday afternoon near Cannich, south of Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. 7,400 hectares have burned so far, with images of the 22-mile long plume of smoke captured by NASA from space.

Two firefighters injured tackling the blaze have since been released from hospital.

Wildfires require a significant number of firefighters to respond due to the extensive terrain, physically demanding work over long periods of time, transporting equipment by hand while being exposed to significant temperatures.

A decade of budget cuts has left Fire and Rescue Services stretched for resources while climate related incidents have increased in frequency and severity. J

uly 2022 saw the temperature in parts of the UK exceed 40 degrees centigrade for the first time in recorded history, increasing the risk of wildfires.

Last week the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service announced further cuts on top of a decade of austerity. These cuts will see the loss of ten fire appliances, reducing fire cover and impacting firefighters’ ability to respond to incidents.

Since 2010, 11,500 firefighters have been cut across the UK, and Scotland alone has lost 1,100 firefighters since 2013.

Matt Wrack, FBU General Secretary said: “Throughout this week, firefighters in Scotland have bravely battled what is now believed to be one of the biggest wildfires in UK history and which can be seen from space.

“Two of our members have already been injured working in these extreme conditions. Thankfully both have now returned home. However, this shows us the real dangers of the climate emergency. 

“Wildfires, such as the ones we are seeing in Cannich at the moment, are on the rise year on year. 

“All governments must heed this stark warning: the climate crisis is here now. We need urgent climate action to prevent loss of life, and that must also involve serious investment in our fire services.”

Wildfire warning in place

A ‘very high’ risk of wildfire remains in place across large parts of Scotland this weekend, the country’s fire and rescue service has warned.

As public lockdown restrictions are eased amid the coronavirus pandemic, people who live within or who may enter any rural environments have been warned to exercise extreme caution.

Following several weeks of dry weather conditions, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) Area Commander Bruce Farquharson has stressed that Scotland’s countryside is “vulnerable” to fire.

A spate of wildfires could place unnecessary pressure on the emergency services as they already work to support partners and protect the public amid the Coronavirus pandemic.

The ‘very high’ wildfire warning – released in conjunction with the Scottish Wildfire Forum (SWF) – remains in place until Monday, June 1.

Area Commander Farquharson, who is also chair of the SWF, said: “While we appreciate that many people will seek to enjoy the outdoors during this spell of good weather this weekend, we urge everyone to make sure that they don’t increase the chance of wildfire.

“We have had very little rain over the past two months, and a large volume of dead, bone-dry vegetation remains left over from last year – which essentially acts as a fuel for fire.

“As a result, there are currently vast areas of countryside all over the country that is tinder dry and vulnerable, and has all of the ingredients for fire to take hold and spread.

“We are asking the public to exercise extreme caution and think twice before using anything involving a naked flame, such as disposable barbecues or campfires.”

Wildfires can start by the careless disposal of barbecues or campfires left unattended. They then have the potential to burn for days and devastate vast areas of land and wildlife; threaten the welfare of nearby communities; and place a strain on the emergency services.

In recent weeks, notable wildfires in New Galloway forest in Dumfries and Galloway, at Wester Ross in the Highlands, and on Kilpatrick Hills near Clydebank, have drawn upon significant SFRS resources across several days.

During the Spring period last year, SFRS crews worked tirelessly to tackle and contain more than 2,000 fires involving grasslands, woodlands and crops – three times as many as the same period in 2018.

Area Commander Farquharson continued: “We would always stress the importance of being vigilant in areas of countryside, but right now we are in a unique and testing period for all emergency services.

“Large wildfires require huge resources to bring under control, and this has the potential to then impact on our entire structure across Scotland.

“We will always do our utmost to protect our communities, and to save life and property from harm at all times – but we also need the public to help us.

“Human behaviour can significantly lower the chance of a wildfire starting, so it is crucial that people act safely and responsibly in rural environments, and always follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.”

For further advice and information about wildfires and how to prevent them visit: