Wildfire - high risk information
Wildfires are devastating for our beautiful UK landscapes, here's what you can do to help protect them at high risk times - warm, dry spells.
In 2025 more land was decimated by wildfire in the UK since records began with a record-breaking 47,000 hectares (roughly 65,000 football pitches, or the size of Birmingham and Manchester combined) destroyed. This is double what was burned in 2022.
This year, as the climate crisis sends more extreme weather conditions our way, governments cut National Park and Fire & Rescue budgets and ever more people enjoy a walk in the UK countryside, here's what YOU can do to help prevent wildfire this season.
Why prevent wildfire?
Apart from ruining a good walk by wrecking footpaths and destroying that beautiful view, one stray ember can devastate centuries of peat growth. Wildfire sends thousands of tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere, degrading air and water quality, killing thousands of insects and ground-nesting birds, endangering firefighters (including volunteers) and harming local businesses.
If you spot smoke or flames:
From a safe location, dial 999 immediately and ask for the fire service. Provide a precise location using What3Words or a grid reference.
Follow further instruction from the 999 operator, ensuring you keep yourself and dependents safe.
How to prevent wildfires
Zero tolerance on naked flames - barbecues and campfires/open fires are strictly prohibited in any area prone to wildfire, especially during high risk periods.
Seeing a fire in a natural setting on social media doesn't mean it's allowed or a good idea.
Rapid ignition - do not be deceived by cold, wet weather; vegetation can dry out within the hour even after heavy rainfall, creating ideal wildfire conditions. It’s never a good time to have a fire or barbecue in the hills, even in winter.
It could be you. No one thinks their fire or barbecue will get out of control so they try one anyway despite any potential bans or byelaws in the area - instead, take a hot flask or drink, soup or stew.
Doing more to prevent wildfires
If you are a local and in touch with rangers, please do not Facebook message or call them as they may not see the information for hours or even days, wasting precious time - please call the fire service directly as above.
Help share the news that people should not light fires or barbecues outside their own garden, especially between late February and November, and follow advice from rangers and local signage.
Businesses and community spaces can share social media graphics and posters from their relevant National Park Authority.
Help prevent wildfires with the BMC
With the BMC you can provide even more support to this cause by joining, volunteering, fundraising and donating.
Join the BMC’s Get Stuck In volunteer programme to plant sphagnum moss in the Peak District with Moors for the Future Partnership, helping to rehabilitate and rewet the landscape. Click here.
Donate to the BMC Access & Conservation Trust to fund our current Wildfire Appeal, part of The Climate Project. We have funded a Wildfire Engagement Officer already, but we also need to provide the team with fire-detection drones, educational signage and rehabilitate the damaged moorland. Donate here.
Join Wildfire Engagement Officer Damian's volunteer patrol groups in the Peak District, write an email FAO Damian here.
Fundraise for us on our sponsored Wildfire Walk from Hathersage, Saturday 30 May! The BMC Access & Conservation Trust is hosting this event as part of the BMC Big Walking Weekend in nearby Edale. Sign up now to receive your sponsorship pack, with 11 prizes up for grabs for those who raise the most! Enter here.
Become a BMC member. Your support protects access to crags and mountains and helps landscape conservation work like this. Join here.
If you'd like to make a lasting impact on the landscape long after you've left this world, please consider leaving us a legacy.
Thank you for your support of the BMC and the BMC Access & Conservation Trust. Together we can safeguard the UK’s stunning hills and mountains for all to enjoy and protect them from wildfire for future generations.
Protect the Sheffield Moors from Wildfire
Help us raise £50,000 this year to protect the Sheffield Moors from Wildfire - 81.2 hectares (114 football pitches!) of this beautiful moorland, including the popular walking and climbing areas of Stanage, Burbage, Froggatt and Curbar Edges, has been lost to wildfire since 2018.
Read more
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Wildfires are devastating for our beautiful UK landscapes, here's what you can do to help protect them at high risk times - warm, dry spells.
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Find out more about Damian, the new Wildfire Engagement Officer for the Peak District's Sheffield Moors area, funded by the BMC Access & Conservation Trust.
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The BMC Access & Conservation Trust are delighted to fund a new Wildfire Engagement Officer for the Peak District's Sheffield Moors area.
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Join us during the BMC Big Walking Weekend for a sponsored wildfire walk to help the BMC Access & Conservation Trust raise money to protect the Sheffield Moors hiking and climbing area from wildfires.
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