UK Wildfires Burn Record Areas in 2025 Amid Growing Concerns Over Emergency Preparedness

UK Wildfires Burn Record Areas in 2025 Amid Growing Concerns Over Emergency Preparedness
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Wildfires in the United Kingdom have destroyed more land in 2025 than in any year since monitoring began, according to new data, The Guardian reported. The Global Wildfire Information System estimates that by November, fires had scorched 47,026 hectares of moorland, forests, and farmland, more than double the area burned during the previous record year of 2022.

The unprecedented scale of destruction has intensified pressure on the UK’s fire and rescue service. In a joint letter to the government, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), supported by climate and tax justice groups, called for long-term investment to help emergency services respond to escalating wildfire and flood risks linked to climate change. The letter warns that the country is “dangerously underprepared” for climate-driven emergencies.

Recent incidents have underscored these concerns. In August, firefighters from across the UK were deployed to tackle an intense blaze at Holt Heath in Dorset, where local capacity proved inadequate. A month later, crews in North Yorkshire — joined by farmers and landowners — battled a fire on Langdale Moor that burned for weeks.

The FBU notes that the fire service has lost nearly 12,000 firefighters since 2010, representing one in five posts, while central government funding has fallen by 30% in cash terms. Many services are facing shortages of equipment, understaffed control rooms, and inadequate protective clothing, especially for tackling wildfires. The union says these gaps jeopardize firefighter safety and hinder effective responses.

The challenge extends beyond wildfires. The UK is also experiencing an increased risk of severe flooding, including recent devastation caused by Storm Claudia. Firefighters say resources are already stretched to the limit. Environmental organizations including Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, and Tax Justice UK have urged the government to boost funding, improve strategic planning, and strengthen national resilience.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said the government is taking measures to enhance emergency response capacity, including funding a National Resilience Wildfire Advisor and ensuring fire services have necessary resources.