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Wildfires
Latest news, advice and opinion on wildfires in the UK.


Northern England's Moorlands Are Burning Again - And the Same Questions Remain Unanswered
Are current upland land management policies fuelling Northern England's moorland wildfires? Learn why controlled burning is vital to prevent disasters.

Rob Beeson
Apr 104 min read


Study Reveals Wildfire Smoke is Damaging the Mental Health of Children and Adolescents
Preventing uncontrolled wildfires through active land management is essential not only for conservation but for protecting the mental health and brain development of children in our rural communities.

Rob Beeson
Apr 74 min read


In Pictures: The True Scale of the Langdale Moor Wildfire
These photos were taken by Scott Wicking and show the devastation caused by last year's wildfire at Langdale in the North York Moors.

Rob Beeson
Mar 271 min read


Wildfire Policy is Changing in Europe. Defra Needs to Catch Up
New EU wildfire policy supports active moorland management and prescribed burning for climate resilience. Discover why the UK's Defra needs to catch up.

Andrew Gilruth
Mar 264 min read


Has Natural England’s Wildfire Message Been Punctured?
Has Natural England's wildfire policy unraveled? A key author admits peat rewetting doesn't prevent fires. Learn why England's Peat Action Plan needs rewriting.

Andrew Gilruth
Mar 183 min read


Defra’s Wildfire Policies are Putting Public Health at Risk: our letter to The Telegraph
Why is Defra risking public health and NHS budgets by banning moorland heather burning? Read our letter to The Telegraph on the flaws in current wildfire policy.

Andrew Gilruth
Mar 161 min read


A Wake-Up Call at Danes Moss: Why Rewetting Alone Cannot Prevent Wildfires
The recent wildfire at the wet Danes Moss bog proves rewetting alone can't stop blazes. Learn why active management of surface vegetation is vital for peatlands

Rob Beeson
Mar 123 min read


LSE Video Shows Why Traditional Land Management is Our Best Defense Against Wildfires
LSE research reveals the real cause of extreme wildfires: dangerous fuel loads. Discover why traditional land management and controlled burning are our best defense.

Rob Beeson
Mar 115 min read


Science Validates Tradition: How Moorland Management Protects Against Wildfire
A scientific study reveals how traditional controlled burning on moorlands reduces severe wildfire risks by managing heather fuel loads and protecting peat soils.

Rob Beeson
Mar 94 min read


2026 UK Wildfire & Emissions Data
Get the latest real-time wildfire and emissions data for the UK including total area burnt, number of wildfires, carbon emissions and PM2.5 emissions.

Rob Beeson
Mar 91 min read


What Happened at the Environmental Audit Committee’s Peatland Inquiry
Read Moorland Association CEO Andrew Gilruth's evidence to the EAC Peatland Inquiry on why controlled burning is essential to prevent severe upland wildfires.

Rob Beeson
Mar 56 min read


Lessons From Langdale: Why Controlled Burning is a Vital Defence
Policymakers must abandon passive conservation and empower land managers. Restoring tools like controlled burning and grazing will strip fuel to prevent catastrophic wildfires.

Rob Beeson
Mar 35 min read
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