England Needs Its Own Version of the US Wildfire Hub
Quick summary
England’s first Wildfire Action Plan should include an online hub like America’s Wildfire Resilience Hub.
The 2026 fires exposed water shortages, competition for aircraft and unclear responsibility for wildfire policy.
Much of the training, guidance and forecasting an English hub would need already exists.
Moorland managers know the ground and should plan and train with fire crews before spring.
America’s new Wildfire Resilience Hub gives fire departments and local governments one place to find training, get help with a wildfire plan and look for funding. England’s first Wildfire Action Plan should include a similar site for fire services, councils and land managers.
How the US hub works
The International Association of Fire Chiefs runs the hub with backing from the US Forest Service and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It brings together resources for fire departments, emergency planners, local and tribal governments and community groups.
Practical guides and planning templates, with examples of prevention work in other communities.
Webinars, workshops and training for fire services and their partners.
Specialist advice on reducing fire risk, with information on grants and upcoming events.
The public pages link to advice on assessing risk and preparing a community fire plan. The hub says organisations can request resources and log their prevention work in its members’ area after joining the free Ready, Set, Go! programme.
Federal, state, tribal and local partners helped draw up the US national wildfire strategy in 2014. It covered community preparedness, land management and firefighting across a far larger and more varied country than Britain. The US National Wildfire Coordinating Group also sets minimum qualifications for national deployments, including training and experience.
What the 2026 UK wildfires exposed
In the New Forest in August, crews struggled to maintain water supplies. At Dunwich Heath, the National Trust initially arranged and paid for air support. The Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee found that relying on local contracts left fire services competing for aircraft.
MPs also found that fire danger was reported inconsistently and responsibility for wildfire policy across government was unclear. England still had no published wildfire strategy. The committee called for an action plan by the end of 2026 and a long-term strategy within a year of the government’s response.
Much of what an English hub would need already exists. Fire services can draw on specialist support through National Resilience and get training from the National Fire Chiefs Council.
The Forestry Commission publishes guidance for woodland managers. The Met Office’s Fire Severity Index estimates how severe a fire could become if one starts. The government’s Be Ready site gives the public advice on preventing fires.
After the October wildfire summit, ministers announced plans to co-ordinate aerial firefighting nationally, improve forecasts and fund fire ponds, firebreaks and work to manage vegetation. On 30 October they confirmed they would publish England’s action plan.
Scotland and Northern Ireland already have their own action plans. Wales has said it will strengthen the All-Wales Wildfire Board and set up a register of farmers and landowners willing to lend equipment or share local knowledge.
Planning for fires on the moors
The 2025 Fylingdales fire on the North York Moors burned for more than six weeks. Farmers lost grazing and access restrictions disrupted local businesses. When dry peat catches fire, it can smoulder underground. That makes the fire harder to put out and releases carbon stored in the soil. The government has committed up to £3.2 million for repairs and habitat restoration.
Farmers and gamekeepers can spot fires early. They know which tracks will take a fire engine and where crews can get water. The Peak District Fire Operations Group, set up in 1996, brings six fire services together with landowners, gamekeepers and other local partners to draw up plans and train. We’ve worked with the England and Wales Wildfire Forum to develop wildfire awareness training for land managers.
Build the hub into England’s action plan
Defra and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government should agree who will run the hub and involve fire services, local resilience forums and land managers from the start. The devolved governments should be able to link to their own guidance and share lessons from major fires.
A land manager should be able to check local fire danger, book joint training and find out who can advise on a fire pond or firebreak. The hub should explain where to apply for funding, when grazing, cutting, rewetting or controlled burning can help, and what permissions are needed.
