Wildfires

Scottish firefighters and local land managers have been battling severe wildfires across the Highlands for a third day, with the blazes posing serious threats to human life, wildlife, peatland habitats and community resources.

While much attention is often given to the dramatic images of uncontrolled fires, less is heard about the unsung heroes who work tirelessly year-round to prevent them and protect our countryside: gamekeepers.

The call for urgent climate action is justified - but it will fail if we continue to ignore practical land management and alienate the rural communities best placed to help.

World leaders have spoken at G7 Kananaskis 2025 - and they back the return of traditional land management.

Moorlands are vital parts of our landscape, but they face a growing threat: devastating wildfires. These fires aren't just a natural phenomenon; they're heavily influenced by how we manage the land.

The Earl of Caithness tabled a question in the House of Lords on 12th June 2025 about reducing the risk and mitigating the effects of wildfires.

The research paper “Spikes in UK wildfire emissions driven by peatland fires in dry years” evaluates the impact of wildfires on carbon (C) emissions in the UK from 2001 to 2021, with a specific focus on peatlands.

The report, ‘Burning Money - How nature groups cash in on disastrous policies they helped create to fix imaginary problems’, outlines how farmers and landowners in the Peak District are significantly impacted by current moorland management policies.

The Moorland Association, in partnership with the England & Wales Wildfire Forum (EWWF), is championing an essential free training course designed specifically for land managers.

As the UK faces an escalating threat from wildfires, we want to share important insights ahead of the upcoming House of Lords debate on "Reducing the risk and mitigating the effects of wildfires."

Our moorlands are facing unprecedented challenges due to Natural England's policies, which have been described as irrational, unproven, and expensive.

A report commissioned by the Campaign for the Protection of Moorland Communities looks closely at issues surrounding moorland management, suggesting that current policies, heavily influenced by some nature groups, may be creating more problems than they solve.