The EFRA Committee has launched a call for evidence on the
growing threat posed by wildfires in the UK, to both
urban and rural areas.
The National Fire Chiefs
Council said that 2025 broke UK records for the most
reported incidents of wildfires, surpassing
the previous record in 2022.
Wildfires threaten human health both from their immediate dangers
and air pollution affecting people who live and work
nearby.
More than
half (54.4%)
of UK wildfires between 2009 and 2021
occurred in built up areas. In July 2022, 20 houses were
destroyed in a large grassfire in Wennington, East London. These
incidents can be devastating for biodiversity and agriculture,
including long-term changes to soil properties.
The Climate Change
Committee has concluded that wildfires caused by extreme
weather are now six times more likely due to climate
change.
More wildfires happen in spring than summer in the UK due to
burning of vegetation by landowners, dry and dead
vegetation left from winter and visitor pressures. winter
and visitor pressures.
With this call for evidence, part of the Committee's ongoing
thematic work on climate and weather
resilience, MPs are seeking evidence on how risks are
mitigated through management of land and monitoring, and
which organisations and government agencies have responsibility
and oversight of these efforts.
EFRA Committee Chair MP
said:
“From Northumberland to London, fears of wildfires
are spreading as records are broken
year on year.
“The wheels of Government turn slowly, so it
is essential that Ministers gets to work
now on developing reliable systems that can meet
these growing threats.
“We want to hear from experts in this
field and organisations who care for their landscapes,
as well as public services who face wildfires annually and have
tools and strategies to prevent
and contain them.
“The Committee will also look at how other countries prepare
and mitigate these risks to people, property, plant and
animal life.
“With so many local and national organisations with a role to
play, it is vital that we have clear lines of
responsibility and joined-up thinking.”
Terms of reference
The Committee now welcomes written evidence submissions that
response to the following terms of reference. Submissions should be
made via the Committee's website by 15 May
2026.
- How can land management techniques be best used at a regional
level to prevent and control wildfires whilst balancing the needs
of different land users? What evidence-gaps are there and how can
they be filled?
- What role do nature-based solutions, such as improving
biodiversity and more resilient landscapes, have in the
prevention and control of wildfires?
- How best can Defra funding schemes be used to support land
managers to adapt to the increased risk of wildfires?
- What impact does the monitoring of wildfires have on our
understanding of the causes and risks of these events in the UK,
and how can this be improved? Are there international examples or
best practices that can be used in a UK context?
- What resources and training do emergency services and local
authorities need to respond to the increasing number of
wildfires, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas?
- What are the most effective activities for tackling the human
causes of wildfire ignition, for example public engagement and
campaigns? How can the UK Government best support the delivery of
these activities at both a local and national scale?
- What policies are in place, or are needed, to reduce the
severity of wildfires and their socio-economic impacts on both
agricultural land and at rural-urban boundaries?
- Given that responsibility is spread across government
departments and bodies (e.g. Defra, Forestry Commission, Ministry
of Housing Communities and Local Government), how should
the Government coordinate a cross-departmental approach
to tackle the increasing risk of wildfires?
