Wildfires

A new study from Nevada, USA, has found that smoke from wildland fires can lead to increased hospital visits for breathing and heart problems - and the type of fire makes a difference.

This blog post provides a detailed summary of the paper: Unprecedented UK heatwave harmonised drivers of fuel moisture creating extreme temperate wildfire risk.

A new UK study has shown how extreme heatwaves can dramatically increase the risk of severe wildfires on heath and peatland landscapes.

Proactive land management - including traditional burning - is essential to protecting both ecosystems and rural communities from catastrophic wildfire.

An update from the North York Moors Moorland Organisation showing the extent of the damage caused by the Langdale Moor wildfire, damage which would be far worse were it not for the brave efforts of firefighters, gamekeepers and farmers.

We are deeply concerned by the scale of the wildfire on Langdale Moor and extend our thanks to the fire service, gamekeepers, farmers and other local responders who are working tirelessly in difficult conditions to bring it under control.

A new study has found that wildland firefighters are exposed to harmful substances during wildfire suppression that can increase their risk of serious health problems - including lung damage, oxidative stress, and even cancer.

For years, traditional land management practices - particularly controlled burning - have been increasingly restricted. As a result, fuel loads have been allowed to build up, turning moorland into a fire risk waiting to happen.

The summer of 2022 saw London face its worst wildfire outbreak on record, fuelled by extreme heat and parched green spaces.

A new 38-year satellite study from the United States shows clear evidence that controlled, or “prescribed,” burning reduces the size and spread of wildfires.

In a powerful column for the Daily Mail, Lord Botham warns that the UK is facing its worst wildfire season on record - and that government policy is making it worse.

These FAQs examine the critical relationship between vegetation fuel loads and wildfire behaviour, demonstrating how accumulated fuels lead to more intense, faster-spreading, and severe fires across diverse global ecosystems, including the UK.

Rewetting is a crucial piece of the puzzle for peatland wildfire mitigation, but on its own it rarely provides a sufficient safeguard against the complex, multifactorial threat of wildfires in a changing climate.

Controlled burning faces strong opposition rooted in common misconceptions. This post addresses the main objections to controlled burning, presenting clear, evidence-based rebuttals to set the record straight.

Unmanaged moorlands, characterized by heavy fuel loads and difficult access, lead to more severe, prolonged, and costly firefighting operations, often requiring extensive personnel, specialized equipment, and aerial support.

Limiting wildfire carbon emissions – through better fire prevention, rapid suppression, ecosystem restoration, and climate change mitigation – will be crucial for meeting long-term emissions targets and preserving the carbon storage functions of the world’s forests and peatlands.

Wildfire smoke far exceeds prescribed burn smoke in both quantity and harm, and that controlled burning, when used judiciously, is a net benefit for air quality and environmental protection.

There are several recent examples of the 'protection gap' from wildfires that have taken place around the world. The ‘protection gap’ refers to the difference between total economic losses from wildfires and the portion of those losses that are covered by insurance payouts.

Scotland’s largest recorded wildfire event - which scorched more than 11,800 hectares of moorland and woodland near Carrbridge and Dava - has triggered a detailed review by Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) into how land-based businesses responded.

A report, prepared by Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) for the Scottish Government, details the significant response of land-based and rural businesses to the Carrbridge and Dava wildfires in July 2025.