As the UK continues to battle a series of wildfires, a firefighter has shed light on why these blazes are so difficult to bring under control. The explanation comes amid a week of record-breaking heat and dry conditions that have fueled numerous fires across the country.
Emergency alert and barbecue ban
On Friday (14 August), most Brits received an Emergency Alert at 7pm, warning people not to light anything that could spark a wildfire. The alert followed a wildfire in Stourbridge, West Midlands, that destroyed 19 homes on Thursday. Prime Minister Andy Burnham later told the public the alert had been issued at the request of firefighters, urging people to take it 'seriously'.
The government also introduced a temporary ban on disposable barbecues, which are reported to be the main cause of many wildfires. Fireworks, fire pits, and garden incinerators are also banned. The measure is temporary, with a promise to review the ban as the risk of wildfires changes through the autumn season. Household barbecues that are not disposable have not been banned, but users are warned never to leave one unattended and to ensure it is fully extinguished after use.
Wildfire numbers surpass last year's total
The record-breaking hot summer and lack of rainfall have led to several wildfires in the last week. Data shared by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) shows that this year has already passed 1,017, the total number of wildfires reported in all of 2025.
The ongoing fires have sparked public confusion, with one Brit in Peterborough taking to Reddit to ask UK-based firefighters why it takes 'so long' to contain the various wildfires. The post, titled "Firefighters of the UK - please explain something that's making me feel stupid," referenced the ongoing Holme Fen fires in Cambridgeshire.
Firefighter's explanation
A firefighter named Tom responded, offering his professional insight. He explained that "Fire can travel underground particularly in areas with peat, and it will just pop up somewhere you don't necessarily expect."
Tom also highlighted 'several water issues', noting that while most homes have a nearby water hydrant, remote locations may have the closest hydrant a considerable distance away. In such cases, firefighters require 'a tonne of hose' or must carry out a water relay, where a fire engine repeatedly travels back and forth to fetch water.
"Each time we can maybe dump about 1,500 litres, which when facing a huge wildfire, is nothing," Tom said. "We can empty a full tank in under a minute."
He further revealed that the UK does not have dedicated firefighting aircraft, unlike some other countries. "The RAF have some limited wildfire capability, but the chinooks and equipment are currently in Cyprus, so of no use to us," he said. "The aircraft we are using are not designated wildfire aircraft - they're whatever we can beg, borrow or steal."
Tom expressed concerns about the UK's lack of necessary equipment to tackle wildfires on the current scale, stating the nation is 'still getting to grips' with such events. "We are so heavily understaffed across the UK, and have seen cuts upon cuts for years," he added. "We are doing the best we can, but we need a serious investment going forward otherwise this is only going to get worse."
