Published 13 August 2026
Fire Chiefs warn wildfire risk is outpacing investment as homes are destroyed
- Fire and rescue services declared nine major incidents today alone, taking the number of major incidents linked to extreme heat and wildfires to 25 this year.
- More than two-thirds of England and all of Wales remain in drought, with an amber extreme heat warning in force today and temperatures that reached 38C.
Fire and rescue services across the UK are responding to a sustained and escalating wildfire risk. Today, that risk has become reality for many families. The current run of incidents comes against a backdrop of a fifth heatwave this summer, prolonged drought, and dry ground conditions that allow fires to take hold and spread rapidly.
Where wildfires reach the urban fringe, the risk shifts from land and wildlife to homes, and firefighters are facing challenging incidents in which people have lost property and possessions as flames reach residential areas. The reality is that the risk is growing faster than our collective capacity to respond. Climate change, prolonged periods of extreme heat and changing land use are creating more frequent, larger and more complex wildfires. We must ensure that investment is not only sustained but enhanced if we are to keep pace with the risks facing our communities.
At the time of writing, a large number of properties in Stourbridge, West Midlands are believed to be lost or severely damaged as the fire has spread rapidly and with intensity, with injuries reported. Further properties in Sandwell, Stoke on Trent, and Pershore have also been severely damaged as the wildfire season grips the UK.
Phil Garrigan, Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council, said:
“Our thoughts are with those families and communities who have been affected by these devastating fires. Losing a home, treasured possessions, or being forced to leave your community is a traumatic experience that can have a lasting impact.”
“We also recognise the extraordinary efforts of firefighters, control teams and support staff who continue to work around the clock in extremely challenging conditions to protect life, property and the environment.”
“Recent incidents have demonstrated how rapidly fires can spread and how the threat is evolving, and today’s incidents take us one step further. Wildfires are no longer confined to remote rural areas. Increasingly, they are threatening homes, businesses and critical infrastructure as fires move from open land into urban and suburban communities. We genuinely welcome the Government’s recognition of the escalating threat through recent investment in specialist wildfire capabilities and the Prime Minister’s decision to convene COBR in response to the current conditions. The support and recognition of these risks is welcome and reflects the seriousness of the situation we are facing.
“But our new reality is risk is growing faster than our collective capacity to respond. Climate change, prolonged periods of extreme heat and changing land use are creating more frequent, larger and more complex wildfires. We must ensure that investment is not only sustained but enhanced if we are to keep pace with the risks facing our communities.
“Whilst we rightly focus on the here and now, we are calling for a long-term wildfire strategy that reflects the changing nature of emergencies facing the UK. This would include continued investment in firefighters, specialist wildfire teams, training, equipment and national capabilities, including a dedicated aerial firefighting capability. The cost of preparedness will always be less than the cost of recovery. We must act now to ensure fire and rescue services have the resources required to protect communities from increasingly severe and complex wildfire events.
“The public has a vital role to play. Many wildfires are preventable. At a time when firefighters are responding to multiple major incidents across the country, the most effective action anyone can take is to avoid activities that could ignite a fire.
“We all have a shared responsibility to protect our communities. By making sensible choices and following local guidance, people can help prevent further devastation, reduce pressure on emergency services and keep firefighters available for those who need them most. Every wildfire prevented is a home protected, a family spared the heartbreak of losing treasured possessions, and firefighters freed to respond to other emergencies. Public vigilance and responsible behaviour are as important as any piece of equipment in helping us tackle this growing threat.”