Most wildfires are caused by people and can be prevented.
It’s important to do all you can to help us protect the forests: act responsibly during extreme weather, heatwaves and drought as well as hot and dry conditions, and always follow instructions during times when wildfire risk is higher.
Wildfires are a growing threat to the nation’s forests as climate change leads to more frequent hot, dry weather and droughts. Forestry England has a co-ordinated approach to preventing and responding to wildfires across the land in our care.
How we work to prevent wildfires
Responsible forest management includes many activities which help prevent and manage wildfires including:
- proactive public information campaigns about being responsible and reporting wildfires: most wildfires in the UK are caused by people.
- having local emergency response plans which can support emergency services dealing with an incident, particularly helping them with access to forests and finding water supplies to fight fires.
- understanding, and working with, natural fire breaks such as rivers and streams and linking them with roads and unplanted rides. Together these can form a network of barriers to a spreading wildfire.
- planting a diverse mix of tree species.
- planting broadleaf buffers around heathland.
- managing vegetation to reduce the build-up of dry fuel.
How we manage wildfires
Forestry England works closely with local Fire and Rescue Services, Local Resilience Forums and adjacent landowners to prevent, prepare for, and support with responding to wildfires that happen in the nation’s forests.
Our overriding priority is the health, safety and wellbeing of our staff, contractors, visitors and emergency services. We have clear procedures and guidance on how our staff must act during a wildfire. We train staff to make sure they have the knowledge and confidence they need in their roles.
Our staff are not firefighters. We will support the Fire and Rescue Services to tackle wildfires in the nation’s forests by:
- building strong relationships and working closely with local Fire and Rescue Services neighbours.
- patrolling the forests and woodlands in our care and promptly reporting fires to local Fire and Rescue Services.
- monitoring weather conditions and being prepared to act when there is a greater risk of wildfires.
- attempting to put out small, controlled, and manageable fires such as campfires with beaters or water if available.
- providing the Fire and Rescue Service with site information, access, local knowledge and forestry expertise.
- using best practice in forest design and management to reduce the risk wildfires starting and spreading. This will help to build resilience against wildfires. This includes establishing a diverse range of tree species and maintaining fire breaks and rides.
- continue using prescribed burning in selected areas to maintain and protect open forest habitat and forests.
- working with stakeholders and engaging the public about wildfire risk and prevention through communications, on-site signs and face-to-face conversations.
- using our own experts to help inform our response strategy, tactical and procedures.
To protect our staff in the event of a wildfire, we will not:
- provide an emergency firefighting service.
- deploy staff or contractors who are not appropriately trained or equipped.
- use specialist equipment such as bowsers and mulchers unless fully risk assessed and directed by the Fire and Rescue Services, if available.
- guarantee that we can provide the same level of resources to respond to wildfire incidents across the whole of England.
