(Image: North Yorshire Fire and Rescue Service)
MPs are calling for disposable barbecue restrictions, new firefighting aircraft and Australian-style public awareness campaigns after two record-breaking wildfire years across the UK.
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee report comes just over a year after the Fylingdales Moor and Langdale Forest wildfire in North Yorkshire, which scorched around 20 square kilometres and became the biggest blaze recorded in the North York Moors National Park.
The report warns that the UK is poorly prepared for wildfires and needs urgent action to protect communities and landscapes.
A fire on the North York Moors (Image: Supplied)
Alistair Carmichael MP, chair of the EFRA Committee, said: "Two consecutive, record-breaking years of wildfires should be ringing alarm bells in Westminster.
"We need to see government preparing for 2027 now. Failure to do so will leave us all exposed to more of the same next year and every year until it is taken seriously."
Fire and rescue services in England and Wales have tackled more than 1,300 wildfires in 2026, already beating last year’s record.
Major incidents have hit the UK, including military deployments in South Wales, 19 homes destroyed in Stourbridge and extensive damage to parkland in Scotland, Staffordshire and Suffolk.
Mr Carmichael said: "Fire and rescue services, to whom we owe a huge debt, need investment in specialist equipment.
"New aerial capability should be a minimum requirement.
"At ground level, water companies must provide an adequate supply.
A majort fire had a devastating affect on a large area of the North York Moors (Image: Newsquest)
"Financial support should be offered to unsung heroes who keep watch over the hills, alongside wellbeing support for firefighters, including volunteers."
The report calls for a national wildfire strategy, temporary disposable barbecue bans during high-risk periods and wildfire warnings in forecasts and apps.
It also wants a flexible “toolbox” approach to land management, a review of controlled-burning rules and better water supplies for firefighting.
The committee said: "As most fires are man-made, prevention is vital.
"Britain needs a cultural shift that puts us in step with fire-savvy nations such as Australia.
"We call for consistent national public awareness campaigns on fire risk, restrictions on high-risk behaviour such as disposable barbecues during the most dangerous periods, and stronger weather warnings."
Fire chiefs and the Fire Brigades Union said more frequent and intense wildfires were placing huge strain on crews, especially in rural areas staffed by volunteers or firefighters working extra hours.
The sector welcomed the Government’s June announcement of £97 million for a pilot scheme creating specialist wildfire response teams.
But the UK has no dedicated firefighting aircraft.
A few fire services have contracts with private providers, while a small fleet of military water-bombing aircraft based in Cyprus was unavailable during a major Scottish wildfire earlier this year.
The committee wants the Government to publish a detailed aerial-firefighting plan by January 2027, assessing whether aircraft based in Cyprus or freed up by their replacement could help protect the UK.
Land management was identified as another critical factor.
Many land managers say wildfire risk can be reduced by cutting the “fuel load” of dry vegetation through grazing, cutting or controlled burning.
But land managers and policymakers are locked in a heated debate over the best approach.
Environmental groups warn that repeated burning can damage ecosystems, dry out peat and raise the long-term risk of fire.
Others argue that rewetting peatland takes years and will not tackle the immediate danger.
The committee wants a flexible, evidence-based approach using different land-management methods in different areas.
It also wants a review of controlled-burning rules and closer engagement with rural communities.
Mr Carmichael said: "More than anything else, however, government has got to start listening to and respecting the communities most affected by wildfires.
"They know better than anyone the impact of wildfires and how to prevent them in the first place.
"Too often government and its agencies ignore or overlook their experience.
"Until that changes, our response to wildfires will inevitably be inadequate."