Record wildfires in England and Wales prompt NFCC funding call

Wildfire incidents reach record level

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has reported that fire and rescue services in England and Wales have already attended 996 wildfires this year.

It explained that the figure, recorded up to 4 September 2025, surpasses the 994 incidents recorded in the entirety of 2022, which had previously been the worst year for wildfires.

The NFCC added that the milestone comes as the Government considers funding allocations for services in the wake of the Spending Review.

NFCC Chair Phil Garrigan said: “This year’s record wildfires have stretched fire and rescue services to the limit, tying up crews for days on end and taking a real human toll on the firefighters who put themselves in harm’s way to protect us.

“Some services have been forced to call in reinforcements from across the country, raising serious concerns about their ability to respond to their full range of duties.

“The cooler months may be on their way, but the climate emergency is not going anywhere. If it is not wildfires, it is floods – and fire and rescue will always be on the front line.”

Pressure from major incidents

The NFCC noted that several large incidents in recent weeks have illustrated the scale of the problem.

On 9 August, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident after crews attended two heathland fires at Holt Heath and Newton Heath.

It reported that over 100 firefighters tackled a blaze near Wimborne, while another fire near Swanage spread across an area the size of 35 football pitches.

The service said the scale of the fires required additional support from Hampshire and Isle of Wight, Devon and Somerset, Lancashire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester fire and rescue services.

The NFCC also cited a gorse fire at Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh on 10 August that required firefighters to work through the night.

On 13 August, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident due to a wildfire near Langdale Forest, drawing in resources from across the UK.

National resilience support

The NFCC reported that with the Langdale Forest fire continuing, National Resilience issued a request on 27 August for additional welfare support.

It explained that this request enabled crews in North Yorkshire to receive respite while tackling the long-running blaze near RAF Fylingdales.

National Resilience coordinates specialist capabilities under the National Co-ordination and Advisory Framework on behalf of the Government.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service has held lead responsibility for National Resilience since 2016.

Firefighter numbers and workload

The NFCC highlighted that overall demand on fire and rescue services is rising at the same time as firefighter numbers are falling.

It reported that services in England responded to 600,185 incidents in 2024, which is 100,000 more than in 2014.

It said firefighter numbers in England have reduced by 25% since 2008, equivalent to a loss of 11,000 wholetime firefighters.

According to NFCC analysis, proposed changes to fire and rescue funding could lead to further cuts, potentially reducing the workforce by up to 2,300.

Call for long-term investment

Phil Garrigan said: “We are trying to meet these challenges against a backdrop of 11,000 fewer firefighters than we had a decade ago and after years of sustained funding cuts, even as demand has risen by 20%.

“Fire and rescue is the foundation of our national resilience – we cannot allow it to become the forgotten emergency service.

“With the Government deliberating on how it will fund services following the Spending Review, now must be the time to act. Urgent and long-term investment is needed in people, equipment, and resources so that fire and rescue services can tackle the impact of climate change and continue to keep our communities safe.”

Public advice on wildfire safety

The NFCC has also issued advice for the public to reduce wildfire risk.

It advised people to avoid using disposable barbecues in open countryside, parks and moorland areas.

It added that cigarettes, matches and glass bottles should not be discarded in dry areas as they can ignite vegetation.

The organisation also urged the public to follow local authority guidance on restrictions and to report any fires by calling 999.

Suspicious behaviour should be reported to the Police or to Crimestoppers.

Relevance for fire and safety professionals

The NFCC’s update demonstrates the increasing demands being placed on fire and rescue services due to climate-related risks.

For professionals, the record number of wildfires highlights the operational challenges of resource allocation, firefighter safety, and maintaining resilience across multiple incident types.

The calls for investment in people and equipment illustrate the importance of planning for long-term capability in response to environmental change.

The NFCC’s public safety advice also reinforces the role of fire professionals in community education and prevention strategies.

Record wildfires in England and Wales prompt NFCC funding call: Summary

Fire and rescue services in England and Wales have already attended 996 wildfires this year.

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) reported the number surpasses the 994 wildfires recorded in 2022.

The NFCC said large fires in Dorset and Wiltshire, Edinburgh and North Yorkshire have placed additional demand on crews.

It reported that National Resilience issued a request for welfare support for North Yorkshire crews in late August.

The NFCC highlighted that services in England responded to 600,185 incidents in 2024.

It added that firefighter numbers in England have fallen by 25% since 2008, equal to 11,000 wholetime firefighters.

NFCC analysis warned that funding changes could lead to further cuts of up to 2,300 firefighters.

NFCC Chair Phil Garrigan said fire and rescue services need urgent and long-term investment in people, equipment and resources.

The NFCC has also advised the public on wildfire safety, including avoiding disposable barbecues and reporting suspicious activity.

NFCC said fire and rescue services remain the foundation of national resilience.