National Trust for Scotland Adopts Moorland Association Wildfire Training Course

Quick summary

• The National Trust for Scotland has adopted the Moorland Association's free online wildfire training course for staff.

• NTS cares for over 187,000 acres, much of it fire-prone peatland and remote wild land.

• Five short modules cover wildfire basics, Fire and Rescue liaison, WiPS, LACES, and air and ground assets.

• The course is free, takes 30 to 45 minutes, and is open to everyone online.

The National Trust for Scotland (NTS) has chosen the Moorland Association’s free online wildfire training course to train its staff. The announcement marks a significant step in wildfire preparedness across one of the UK’s largest conservation organisations.

NTS cares for more than 187,000 acres of countryside, coastline, and wild land across Scotland. Its properties include some of the most remote and ecologically sensitive landscapes in the United Kingdom, places like Ben Lawers, Torridon, and Mar Lodge Estate.

Many of these areas sit within fire-prone habitats, where dry conditions, strong winds, and deep peat can turn a small ignition into a large and dangerous wildfire.

Wildfire is a growing concern across the whole of the UK. Scotland has experienced several serious incidents in recent years, and changing weather patterns mean the risk is increasing. For organisations whose staff work outdoors in these landscapes, wildfire awareness is no longer optional. It is a core safety requirement.

The Moorland Association developed the course in partnership with the England & Wales Wildfire Forum (EWWF). It is designed to give anyone who works on or near open land a solid, practical grounding in wildfire awareness and personal safety. The course is completely free, takes under an hour, and can be completed online at any time.

What the course covers

The course is split into five short modules. Each one deals with a different aspect of wildfire awareness and safety. No prior knowledge is required, and the language is straightforward throughout.

Wildfire Introduction: This module explains what a wildfire is, how it differs from a planned or prescribed burn, and introduces the key terms used by fire professionals. It sets the foundation for the rest of the course.

Fire and Rescue Service Liaison: This module covers how to contact the Fire and Rescue Service during a wildfire incident, what information to pass on, and how to work alongside emergency responders safely and effectively.

Wildfire Prediction System (WiPS): Fire does not behave randomly. This module explains how four key factors - wind, slope, fuel type, and aspect - combine to influence how a fire will spread. Understanding these helps anyone on the ground read the landscape and anticipate what a fire might do next.

LACES Safe System of Work: LACES stands for Lookouts, Awareness, Communications, Escape routes, and Safety zones. This is the standard protocol for keeping people safe at a wildfire. The module walks through each element in turn and explains how to apply it in practice when working in or near a fire environment.

Working with Air and Ground Assets: Large wildfires often involve helicopters, heavy plant machinery, and specialist power tools. This final module explains the hazards these assets create, how to stay safe when they are operating nearby, and what to expect when they are deployed at an incident.

The full course takes between 30 and 45 minutes to complete. It is entirely free of charge.

Take the course yourself

This course is not only for land managers or conservation professionals. It is open to everyone. Whether you walk, run, cycle, or work in the countryside, a basic understanding of wildfire behaviour and safety makes you better prepared and better protected. It is equally relevant to volunteer rangers, outdoor activity leaders, farmers, estate workers, and members of the public who spend time in open landscapes.

You can complete the course at your own pace, on any device, at any time of day. There is no fee and no deadline.

Start the course here: moorlandassociation.org/challenge-page/wildfire-training