UK wildfire surge prompts NFCC safety warning during heatwave

Wildfire incidents rise sharply in England and Wales

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has reported that over 500 wildfires have already been recorded in England and Wales this year, with the total reaching 564 incidents as of 19 June.

The NFCC said this figure marks a 717% increase compared to the same period in 2024, when 69 wildfires were recorded.

The number has also more than doubled from 2022, which became the worst year on record for wildfires in the UK.

The NFCC warned that further heatwaves forecast in the coming days are likely to exacerbate the situation.

NFCC Chair Phil Garrigan said: “We are deeply concerned about the escalating threat of wildfires this summer, which have the potential to become more frequent, intense, and dangerous — particularly in areas where communities border the countryside.

“We all need to play our part in protecting each other, our environment and our homes and businesses.

“We want everyone to enjoy the nice weather, we are just asking that they take extra care when out and about because it only takes one small error to lead to a significant wildfire.”

Wildfires increasingly threaten homes and emergency capacity

According to the NFCC, most wildfires in the UK are started by human activity, including accidental causes such as barbecues, cigarettes, and discarded glass.

The Council said wildfires are now a consistent threat to rural and urban fringe communities, with homes and businesses at risk in areas where vegetation borders built environments.

The NFCC cited the 2022 Wennington fire in East London as a recent example, in which 18 homes were destroyed when flames spread from grassland to buildings.

Garrigan said: “Fire and rescue services are already under significant pressure, having responded to hundreds of wildfires this year alone.

“We are incredibly proud of the unwavering commitment and preparedness of our fire and rescue services.

“However, wildfires are no longer rare or isolated incidents — they are a growing national risk that require a national-level response.

“Without more adequate and sustained funding, fire and rescue services will continue to be stretched to the limit.”

The NFCC also highlighted that fires during dry periods may burn for days and require extended response, adding to strain on already stretched core budgets.

Heatwaves increase water safety risks as drowning cases spike

The NFCC has also issued a water safety warning, saying that high temperatures encourage more people to enter the water, increasing the risk of accidental drowning.

The organisation said people often underestimate the dangers, particularly cold water shock, which can impair the ability to swim.

The Council cited research by Bournemouth University and the Royal Life Saving Society, which shows that the risk of accidental drowning increases fivefold when air temperatures reach 25°C compared to cooler days.

The NFCC said 37% of drowning cases in 2023 involved individuals who had no intention of entering the water.

People are advised not to jump into water to cool off, to supervise children at all times, and to avoid entering the water after consuming alcohol.

The NFCC also repeated the “Call, Tell, Throw” advice if someone else is in trouble, and “Float to Live” guidance for self-rescue.

Wildfires remain an unfunded responsibility for fire services

The NFCC said that while wildfire response remains a growing demand on fire services, there is currently no dedicated funding provision to support this work.

It explained that responding to wildfires falls under general statutory duties and must be covered using standard budgets.

This situation follows a Spending Review in which wildfire capacity was not addressed.

The Council stated that resources are often deployed over long durations, affecting the availability of crews to cover other emergency calls.

It reported that on 18 and 19 July 2022, when record temperatures were recorded, 14 fire and rescue services declared major incidents, 9 of which were directly linked to resource issues.

Call volumes to emergency control rooms reportedly rose by 500% during the same period.

The NFCC said that without national coordination and increased investment, pressure on frontline services will continue to grow.

NFCC shares public safety advice for fire and water hazards

In light of the rising number of incidents, the NFCC is sharing updated safety guidance to reduce risks during hot weather.

For wildfire prevention, the NFCC advises avoiding the use of disposable barbecues in rural or grassy areas and not discarding items such as cigarettes or glass bottles.

It also asks the public to follow fire restrictions issued by local authorities and to report any fires or suspicious behaviour immediately.

In terms of water safety, the Council recommends actively supervising children, avoiding alcohol before swimming, and learning how to respond to water emergencies using “Float to Live” techniques.

The NFCC has stated that public awareness and caution are essential in reducing preventable incidents during the summer period.

UK wildfire surge prompts NFCC safety warning during heatwave: Summary

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has reported 564 wildfires in England and Wales as of 19 June 2025.

This marks a 717% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

It is more than double the number of wildfires recorded in 2022.

Most wildfires in the UK are caused by human activity.

The NFCC has warned that more fires are likely as heatwaves continue.

The Council said homes and businesses near rural land are increasingly at risk.

Fire and rescue services do not receive protected funding for wildfire response.

Wildfires must be managed using existing core service budgets.

Extended wildfire incidents reduce capacity for other emergency calls.

The NFCC highlighted the Wennington fire of 2022 as an example of urban interface risk.

The Council has issued updated public safety advice for outdoor and water-related activities.

New research shows drowning risk increases significantly on hotter days.

The NFCC said 37% of drownings in 2023 involved people not intending to enter water.

People are advised to use the “Call, Tell, Throw” and “Float to Live” approaches in emergencies.

The NFCC has called for a national-level response and sustained investment.