RAF Fylingdales praised for 'extraordinary role in keeping UK safe' a year after devastating fire

The RAF base in North Yorkshire was almost devastated by the biggest wildfire in the UK last year.

An MP has praised RAF Fylingdales for its “extraordinary role in helping to keep the UK, our allies and our servicemen and women safe” a year on from the huge wildfire that threatened to destroy the base.

Scarborough and Whitby MP Alison Hume said that national resilience must “automatically be triggered” when facilities like the North Yorkshire military base are at risk.

A major incident was declared just over a year ago when a campfire on Langdale Moor sparked the biggest wildfire in the country.

The rescue effort of fire crews, farmers and gamekeepers was beset by explosions from World War Two munitions, as it reached RAF Fylingdales, which is built on an old army training area.

The blaze was eventually put out, but not before it had surged towards properties and businesses.

Just over a year on from the fire, which left the North York Moors countryside charred and scorched, Ms Hume visited RAF Fylingdales.

She met with commanding officer Wing Commander Toby Steward, service personnel, civilian experts and representatives from the fire crews who helped protect the Ministry of Defence site when the flames surged towards it.

“It was important to learn more about the response to last year's fire and to thank those who helped protect the site during an incredibly challenging period,” she said.

“When the flames came close, the focus was understandably on safeguarding critical infrastructure.

“Behind that infrastructure, though, are people carrying out a mission of national importance, who could not simply walk away because of the role they perform in keeping our country safe.

“The professionalism, courage and teamwork shown by everyone involved, from RAF personnel to the firefighters, local first responders and emergency services who protected the site, was truly outstanding.”

The station, on Snod Hill, operates the Solid State Phased Array Radar System, a distinctive pyramid-shaped structure which provides continuous 360-degree coverage against ballistic missiles.

The radar gives the UK and US governments early warning of attacks and tracks thousands of objects in space as part of international space surveillance efforts.

As part of longstanding UK-US intelligence-sharing arrangements, information gathered at the North Yorkshire base is shared across the Atlantic and contributes to wider allied security operations.

“RAF Fylingdales performs an extraordinary role in helping to keep the UK, our allies and our servicemen and women safe,” Ms Hume added.

“It was fascinating to learn more about the station's work, from missile warning and space surveillance to protecting our national security in ways that many people never see.

“What struck me most was that RAF Fylingdales is not simply a piece of critical national infrastructure. It is a community of highly skilled, dedicated people whose expertise is vital to our defence every single day.

“Our local community is proud of the work the people at RAF Fylingdales perform to keep us safe and the sacrifices they make on our behalf.

“I will continue to call for national resilience to be automatically activated when incidents such as wildfires place critical military infrastructure under threat.”