Wildfires are placing growing pressure on firefighters and emergency response, warn Fire Chiefs

• Over 700 wildfires responded to by English and Welsh fire and rescue services so far this year. 

• Number of wildfires this year has already reached the total number for the whole of 2021 (223), 2023 (293), and 2024 (200) combined. 

• Nearly 400 wildfires recorded in July so far, making it the busiest July on record for wildfires in England and Wales. 

Wildfires are becoming an increasingly significant and sustained pressure on fire and rescue services, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) is warning, as new data shows firefighters in England and Wales have responded to 716 wildfires so far in 2026. 

The figures, which do not account for incidents attended by fire and rescue services in Scotland and Northern Ireland, provide the latest national picture of wildfire activity recorded through National Resilience reporting arrangements in English and Welsh fire and rescue services. 

According to National Resilience data, the number of wildfire incidents recorded this year already matches the total annual figures seen in 2021 (223), 2023 (293) and 2024 (200) combined, highlighting how wildfires are becoming an increasingly regular feature of operational demand for fire and rescue services. 

So far this month, firefighters have responded to 393 wildfires across England and Wales, making July the busiest month on record and placing significant pressure on crews and resources across the fire and rescue service. 

While wildfire numbers remain below the same point in 2025, Fire Chiefs warn that these incidents continue to place significant demands on fire and rescue services. For fire and rescue services, the challenge is not simply the number of incidents but their duration and complexity, with crews often committed for prolonged periods and facing less time to recover between deployments. 

Wildfires are no longer isolated seasonal events but a growing and recurring operational challenge. They can burn for days, requiring sustained deployments of firefighters and specialist resources, often in difficult terrain, extreme conditions and with significant pressure on local resources. Even after flames are extinguished, crews may remain on scene for extended periods to prevent reignition. 

With wildfires starting earlier in the year and lasting longer, NFCC warns that hotter, drier conditions are creating sustained pressure on response capabilities across the country. 

NFCC has welcomed the Government’s recent investment in a new specialist wildfire capability, including strategically located wildfire response teams. However, Fire Chiefs say continued investment will be needed to ensure services can respond to increasingly complex incidents, including support for specialist equipment, trained personnel and aerial firefighting capability. 

Phil Garrigan, Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), said: 

“We have already responded to more than 700 wildfires this year, and every one of those incidents places additional pressure on firefighters and fire and rescue services across the country. 

“These fires can burn for days, often in remote locations, challenging terrain and extreme temperatures. They demand significant resources, tie up crews for prolonged periods and reduce opportunities for firefighters to rest and recover between incidents. 

“Wildfires are no longer isolated or seasonal events. They are becoming a recurring and growing feature of the risks facing our communities and emergency services. As climate and environmental conditions continue to change, we must ensure our fire and rescue services are equipped to meet that challenge. 

“That means sustained investment in specialist training, modern equipment, national resilience capabilities and the research and technology needed to improve our prevention, preparedness and response. We cannot afford to treat wildfires as an emerging risk any longer. They are a reality now, and our national capability must evolve accordingly.” 

Fire Chiefs are continuing to urge the public to take extra care during periods of hot and dry weather, as many wildfires are caused by human activity and are preventable. 

Simple actions such as disposing of cigarettes safely, avoiding the use of disposable barbecues in the countryside and taking litter home can significantly reduce the risk of fires starting. 

Wildfire Public Safety Advice 

• Avoid using disposable barbecues in open countryside, parks and moorland areas. 

• Do not discard cigarettes, matches or glass bottles, as they can ignite dry vegetation and crops. 

• Follow local authority guidance on fire risks and restrictions. 

• Report any signs of fire immediately by calling 999 and asking for the Fire and Rescue Service. 

• If you notice suspicious behaviour or see someone intentionally starting a fire, contact the Police on 101 or report information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. 

• If there is a fire, call 999 immediately. 

ENDS 

Notes for editors 

National Resilience data, provided directly to NFCC, shows fire and rescue services in England and Wales have responded to the following number of wildfires: 

• • 2021: 223 

• • 2022: 994 

• • 2023: 293 

• • 2024: 200 

• • 2025: 1,017 

• • 2026 (up to 29 July): 716 

Wildfire incidents recorded in 2026 by month: 

• • January: 1 

• • February: 2 

• • March: 87 

• • April: 173 

• • May: 43 

• • June: 17 

• • July: 393 (up to 29 July) 

• Under NFCC’s Operational Guidance definition, a wildfire meets one or more of the following criteria:  

• • Involves a geographical area of at least one hectare (10,000 square metres) 

• • Has a sustained flame length of more than 1.5 metres 

• • Requires a committed resource of at least four fire and rescue service appliances/resources 

• • Requires resources to be committed for at least six hours 

• • Presents a serious threat to life, environment, property and infrastructure 

• The definition used in Scotland is as follows: 

• • Wildfires are classified as large, uncontrolled outdoor fires exceeding 1,000 square meters of burned area on appropriate land types. 

• The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) is a charity and an independent membership association and the professional voice of the UK Fire and Rescue Service. NFCC supports fire and rescue services to help save lives and keep local communities safe.