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Controlled Burning
Latest news, advice and opinion on controlled heather burning on UK moorland.


Wildfire Behaviour is Changing: Key Findings from the Dava Moor Study
New research: The Dava Moor fire released 39,338 tonnes of carbon. Learn why active moorland management is vital to protect our peatlands from future megafires.

Rob Beeson
Dec 15, 20253 min read


Are Controlled Burn Emissions Overestimated?
Public discourse and policy often overestimate the air pollution contributions of controlled burns, sometimes misinterpreting their role in air quality discussions.

Rob Beeson
Dec 9, 20255 min read


What the Covid Inquiry Teaches Us About Moorland Policy
What can the Covid Inquiry teach us about moorland policy? We explore the dangers of silencing debate and ignoring local expertise on rising wildfire risks.

Andrew Gilruth
Dec 4, 20253 min read


Prevention vs. Cure: New Research Quantifies the Value of Controlled Burning
New research reveals prescribed burning is 16x more cost-effective than fire suppression. Learn how proactive land management protects rural livelihoods from wildfire.

Rob Beeson
Dec 2, 20253 min read


Parliamentary Update: Wildfire Mitigation, Hen Harrier Recovery and Moorland Management
Latest Parliamentary update covering wildfire mitigation, Hen Harrier recovery & moorland management. Essential reading for gamekeepers and land managers.

Rob Beeson
Dec 2, 20258 min read


Choking on the Details: Why Focusing on Wood Stoves Misses the UK’s Growing Air Quality Threat
Does focusing on wood stoves ignore the UK's real air quality crisis? Read our analysis on why current pollution narratives miss the bigger picture.

Rob Beeson
Dec 1, 20253 min read


UK Wildfire Response Is "30 Years Behind" - And Firefighters Are Paying the Price
When moorlands burn, the UK's fragmented emergency system puts lives at risk. Here, frontline experts reveal why our wildfire governance is stuck in the past, and what needs to change.

Rob Beeson
Nov 27, 20255 min read


Internal NE Briefing Obtained by MA Raises Eyebrows Over Wildfire Rules
The Moorland Association reveals an internal Natural England briefing restricting staff from tackling small wildfires. We call for an urgent review of this policy.

Andrew Gilruth
Nov 25, 20252 min read


Our Firefighters Are Right - But They Only Have Half the Solution
The FBU is right: fire services need support. But suppression is only half the solution. Read why proactive fuel management is vital to prevent UK wildfires.

Rob Beeson
Nov 25, 20255 min read


Evidence Over Opinion: A Scientist’s View on Moorland Management
Dr Andreas Heinemeyer’s long-term research challenges assumptions about moorland burning, showing that evidence - not opinion - must guide peatland management decisions.

Rob Beeson
Nov 24, 20256 min read


MA Judicial Review: An Update for Members
The Moorland Association has filed for Judicial Review against Defra’s 2025 burning regulations. Read the grounds of our claim and what happens next.

Andrew Gilruth
Nov 20, 20254 min read


Natural England and Wildfire Risk: A Call for Transparency and Open Dialogue
A recently circulated internal Natural England email highlights the challenges of maintaining transparent, evidence-led decision-making.

Andrew Gilruth
Nov 19, 20253 min read
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