Wildfires Are Becoming Uninsurable, But Who’s Protecting the Land?

A recent article on the Insurance Business website warns that wildfires are now posing such a severe risk that insurers are reconsidering their exposure and in some cases, pulling back entirely. As the cost of fire claims skyrockets, the UK faces an uncomfortable question: who will pay when the next moorland fire strikes?

At the Moorland Association, we believe the better question is: who’s preventing them?

The Hidden Cost of Inaction

So far in 2025, over £460 million has been lost to moorland wildfires, a staggering figure that dwarfs most government climate or land use budgets. But far less attention is paid to the root causes of these fires and the policies that are making the problem worse.

Controlled burning, managed firebreaks, and experienced local teams are proven tools for wildfire prevention. Yet these tools are being sidelined, replaced with regulatory barriers, licensing delays, and vague encouragements to “rewet and walk away.”

The result? Dangerous fuel build-up, slower responses, and bigger fires.

A Wildfire Strategy That Works

Insurers are right to be worried. But the solution isn’t to retreat, it’s to invest in the people and practices that reduce risk at source. Grouse moor managers, gamekeepers, and landowners have been protecting these landscapes for generations. They should be part of the answer, not treated as part of the problem.

A shift in mindset is required, from firefighting to fire prevention, and from policy neglect to practical support.

Looking Ahead

If the UK wants to reduce insurance payouts, protect rural communities, and safeguard carbon-rich uplands, we need to recognise what works. That means backing active, risk-based land management and the stewards already doing it.

When it comes to wildfire, prevention isn’t just cheaper - it’s essential.

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