Moorland groups launch wildfire commission 

A new body dedicated to reducing wildfire risk across Britain’s uplands held its inaugural meeting in London on 23 April, with a sharp focus on the one element of wildfire behaviour that land managers can actually do something about.

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Focus on fuel load

Weather and terrain are beyond anyone’s control. But fuel load, the accumulated vegetation that determines how fast and how fiercely a fire burns, is not. That distinction sits at the heart of the Wildfire Commission 2026, which brings together regional moorland groups from Scotland and England alongside fire and rescue services and academics. The aim is to establish how fuel load should be measured and managed across different upland landscapes, then translate that into practical, regionally tailored plans that emergency services can use in the field.

Last year broke the UK record for reported wildfire incidents, surpassing 2022, according to the National Fire Chiefs Council. In Scotland, the Carrbridge and Dava Moor fire in Strathspey became the worst in the country’s recorded history, burning through 11,827 hectares of moorland and woodland. Bringing it under control took more than 100 people from 27 estates working alongside the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service, with specialist kit conservatively valued at £4 million. It was an illustration of what unmanaged fuel load can do when conditions turn.

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From theory to action

Mark Ewart, national engagement manager for Scotland’s Regional Moorland Groups, said the commission is about cutting through theory and focusing on what works. “Wildfire is no longer a distant or occasional threat, it is a growing and very real challenge for rural communities, emergency services and the landscapes we all rely on,” he said. “Fuel load is the factor we can influence. If we are serious about improving resilience and protecting lives, it has to sit at the heart of how we plan for wildfire.”

A programme of regional workshops will follow, combining scientific research with the experience of those who manage moorland day to day. Richard Bailey, coordinator of the Peak District Moorland Group, was direct about the urgency. “Crucially this shouldn’t just be about more round table discussions and consultations, but a mechanism leading to real, tangible actions on the ground that are pivotal in the reduction of the extent and impact of wildfires, which many consider is long overdue,” he said.

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Parliamentary scrutiny

The commission launched the day after Parliament’s Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee opened a call for evidence on wildfires across the UK, an inquiry that spans rural and urban areas alike. More than half of UK wildfires recorded between 2009 and 2021 broke out in built-up areas. In July 2022, a grassfire in Wennington, east London, destroyed 20 houses.

EFRA Committee Chair Alistair Carmichael said: “From Northumberland to London, fears of wildfires are spreading as records are broken year on year. The wheels of Government turn slowly, so it is essential that Ministers get to work now on developing reliable systems that can meet these growing threats. We want to hear from experts in this field and organisations who care for their landscapes, as well as public services who face wildfires annually and have tools and strategies to prevent and contain them.” 

The EFRA Committee’s call for evidence closes on 15 May. Submissions can be made at committees.parliament.uk.