The Government has announced that military planes and helicopters will be permanently equipped to tackle wildfires in the UK for the first time. The move follows a summer of "unrelenting" blazes sparked by record-breaking temperatures and widespread drought.
The new measures were unveiled ahead of England's inaugural wildfire resilience summit, hosted by Andy Burnham, as ministers move to better equip frontline crews and protect vulnerable landscapes against future outbreaks.
Military aircraft to fight fires from the sky
Under the new plan, the Royal Air Force's (RAF) Chinook helicopters and A400M transport aircraft will be adapted to fight fires from the sky. This creates the UK's first permanently based military aerial firefighting capability, designed to assist ground crews in reaching remote moors, steep hillsides, and hard-to-access terrain.
To support firefighters on the ground, the Government is committing up to £45 million for wildfire-specific personal protective equipment (PPE). The new gear is lighter and more breathable than traditional structural firefighting uniforms, allowing crews to operate safely during extended operations in extreme heat.
Prevention and funding measures
In addition to response measures, the strategy places a strong emphasis on prevention, with a further £25 million going towards re-wetting dried-out peatlands across England. Healthy, water-logged peatlands act as natural firebreaks and resist ignition.
Furthermore, financial assistance will be offered to farmers in high-risk areas to build ponds and clear combustible vegetation, and the Government also confirmed it is considering product bans - such as on disposable barbecues - and stricter regulations during periods of elevated fire risk.
Impact of a devastating summer
The announcement follows a devastating summer driven by fossil-fuel-induced climate change. In England and Wales, fire services responded to 1,132 wildfires in the year up to August 16 - exceeding the total for the entirety of the previous year.
Notable blazes occurred in Dunwich Heath, Suffolk, and Stourbridge in the West Midlands, where 19 homes were destroyed. Conditions became so extreme on August 14 that a nationwide mobile phone emergency alert was issued, warning the public of a severe wildfire threat. Major fires also swept across the Cairngorms in Scotland, Northern Ireland's Mourne Mountains, and the Rhinogydd mountains in South Wales.
National action plan and responses
Earlier this week, a report from the parliamentary Environment, Food and Rural Affairs committee warned that wildfires are now "part of our new reality", calling for Australian-style public awareness campaigns to make risky behaviours socially unacceptable.
At the upcoming summit, the Prime Minister, local leaders, fire chiefs, and industry experts will gather to finalise England's first national wildfire action plan. A separate cross-government meeting will coordinate response efforts across the devolved nations.
Speaking ahead of the event, Mr Burnham said: "I stood in Stourbridge and watched families lose everything. I will never forget it."
"Our firefighters were heroes that day, but heroes shouldn't have to fight with one hand tied behind their backs," he added. "Crews will now have the kit they need to stay safe and military aircraft will stand ready to help tackle wildfires from the sky. We cannot put people through another summer like this one."
Communities Secretary Angela Rayner said: "The wildfires we've faced this year have been unrelenting, leaving a devastating impact on communities, homes and our precious countryside. We've heard loud and clear from communities, experts and emergency services that more needs to be done."
"That's why we're taking immediate action now while working across government and the sector to build a stronger, more resilient national response to wildfires for the future," she added.
Other measures to tackle wildfires include an AI unit to spot and fight fires faster, working with the Met Office on better wildfire forecasts to raise public awareness and developing England's first wildfire action plan.
