Wildfires Have Cost the UK Over £350 Million So Far in 2025, Says Moorland Association

New research by the Moorland Association reveals that wildfires have already cost the UK over £350 million this year - with more dry months still to come.

The figure is based on a new research paper and data showing that over 35,000 hectares of land have burned across the UK in 2025 to date. Using an average wildfire cost of £10,000 per hectare as identified in the paper, this puts the total cost at more than £350 million so far this year.

To put that into context, £350 million is the amount the government committed in 2020 to help heavy industry cut down carbon emissions and help tackle climate change.

The paper contains costings for small, medium and severe wildfires and includes the full impact, such as:

• the cost of firefighting and emergency response

• damage to land, wildlife, and carbon-rich peat

• wildfire smoke pollution and health impacts

• infrastructure repairs and post-fire restoration

• lost farming, tourism and water quality

Andrew Gilruth, Chief Executive of the Moorland Association, said:

“Wildfires are no longer rare or low-cost. These fires are causing long-lasting damage to our landscapes, wildlife and rural livelihoods – and the bill is growing fast. We urgently need to learn from other nations and encourage land managers and gamekeepers to reduce vegetation fuel loads – to avoid the devastating loss of carbon peat stores uplands.”

The Moorland Association is calling for greater recognition of the role that traditional land management – such as controlled burning and grazing – plays in preventing wildfires and protecting precious upland habitats.

Further Reading

• Read a summary of the paper

• Download the paper