NFCC reports wildfire surge placing strain on UK fire services
Iain Hoey
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Rising wildfire numbers prompt NFCC warning
The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has reported that firefighters in England and Wales have attended 856 wildfires so far this year.
According to the NFCC, the figure is on track to surpass the record numbers recorded in 2022.
It said that 2025 has already seen more wildfires by mid-August than any other year on record.
The NFCC stated that the increase is being driven by prolonged dry conditions and repeated summer heatwaves.
It added that the UK is currently experiencing another heatwave, with the Met Office forecasting temperatures reaching up to 34°C in parts of the country.
Year-on-year wildfire comparison
The NFCC reported that by 31 July 2025, 793 wildfires had been attended, compared with 596 by the same date in 2022.
It said this represented a 33% increase.
It added that the difference with last year was more pronounced, with 663% more wildfires recorded than in the same period in 2024.
National Resilience data showed that in 2024, fire and rescue services attended 104 wildfires by the end of July, compared with 663 over the same period in 2025.
The council stated that incidents this year are expected to exceed the 2022 record total.
Recent wildfire incidents across the UK
The NFCC said that Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident on 9 August due to two large heath fires.
It stated that more than 100 firefighters attended a fire at Holt Heath near Wimborne.
The service reported that at Newton Heath, near Swanage, crews worked on a blaze the size of 35 football pitches.
According to Dorset and Wiltshire FRS, neighbouring services from Hampshire and Isle of Wight, Devon and Somerset, and crews from as far as Lancashire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester provided support.
The NFCC said that on 10 August, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service attended a gorse blaze on Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh that lasted through the night.
Resource strain and operational impact
NFCC Chair Phil Garrigan said: “Firefighters are already being pushed to their limits, with the major incident declared in Dorset and Wiltshire this week and the blaze at Arthur’s Seat showing just how demanding and dangerous these events can be.
“Each wildfire can take days – sometimes weeks – to bring under control, tying up crews and specialist equipment and placing huge strain on other vital fire and rescue work.
“There’s a real human toll on our firefighters too who are undertaking the most arduous work in the toughest conditions.”
Garrigan added: “We are already seeing more wildfires at this point in the year than in 2022 — which itself was a record year — and that is deeply concerning.
“This is against a backdrop of sustained cuts in funding and reducing firefighter numbers – with 11,000 fewer firefighters in England now than there were 10 years ago, alongside a 20% increase in demand over the same period.
“Climate change is fuelling more frequent and intense extreme weather events, and wildfires are no longer a seasonal threat; they are a persistent and growing risk to life, property, and the environment.
“Meeting this challenge will require long-term, sustained investment so that fire and rescue services have the people, resources, and equipment they need to protect our communities, no matter how many fronts they are fighting on.”
Public safety advice on wildfires
The NFCC advised avoiding the use of disposable barbecues in open countryside, parks and moorland areas.
It said people should not discard cigarettes, matches or glass bottles.
The council stated that these can ignite dry vegetation.
It recommended following local authority guidance on fire risks and restrictions.
The NFCC urged anyone witnessing suspicious behaviour or deliberate fire-starting to contact the police or report anonymously to Crimestoppers.
It said that signs of fire should be reported immediately to the fire and rescue service by calling 999.
Relevance for fire and safety professionals
The NFCC’s data and statements highlight the operational challenges faced by UK fire services during periods of high wildfire activity.
It shows the effect of weather patterns on incident frequency and resource allocation.
For fire and safety professionals, this information underscores the need for planning, inter-agency support, and public awareness measures to mitigate wildfire risk.
It also reinforces the importance of considering long-term investment in equipment and personnel to meet increasing demands.
NFCC reports wildfire surge placing strain on UK fire services: Summary
The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has reported 856 wildfires in England and Wales so far in 2025.
By the end of July 2025, 793 incidents had been recorded.
This is a 33% increase compared with the same period in 2022.
It is also 663% higher than the same period in 2024.
The NFCC said the increase is linked to heatwaves and dry conditions.
On 9 August, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident due to two heath fires.
More than 100 firefighters attended Holt Heath near Wimborne.
At Newton Heath, near Swanage, crews tackled a blaze covering an area equivalent to 35 football pitches.
Support came from neighbouring services and from as far as Lancashire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester.
On 10 August, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service responded to a gorse blaze on Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh.
The NFCC urged public adherence to safety advice to reduce wildfire risk.