2026 saw significant wildfire activity, with more than 1,300 wildfire incidents recorded in England by the end of August, including a number of major incidents requiring a significant multi-agency response. Following the wildfire at Stourbridge, the Prime Minister made clear the need to ensure that Fire and Rescue Services are equipped to respond to the growing impacts of climate change and committed to using the Wildfire Summit to address this challenge.

On 23rd October the Prime Minister hosted England’s first Wildfire Summit and I want to update the House on the steps this Government is taking to strengthen our preparedness for, and resilience to, the growing risk of wildfire.

The Summit brought together government, sector representatives and key partners to turn the lessons of this year’s wildfires into a programme of action to reduce wildfire risk, strengthen preparedness, enhance response capabilities, and support long-term recovery and adaptation.

Today I want to set out how the Government will progress this work ahead of the next wildfire season and beyond.

Preventing Wildfire Risk and Public Preparedness

Preventing wildfires from starting and limiting their spread is fundamental to protecting communities, the natural environment and critical infrastructure. Improving public awareness is also essential to reducing preventable incidents during periods of heightened wildfire risk.

The Government is updating its capital offer through the Environmental Land Management Scheme to fund prevention measures, such as fire ponds, fire breaks, fuel management, grazing and scrub removal, enabling a more targeted, landscape-scale approach in high-risk areas.

In addition, the Government has announced it will invest an additional £25 million in peatland restoration grants to improve wildfire resilience.

The Government will also bolster measures to prevent ignitions. MHCLG and Defra will work together to coordinate the use of temporary powers to restrict open flames in high-risk landscapes during periods of elevated wildfire risk.

This will be supported by strengthened public communications on wildfire risk and prevention, informed by improved wildfire forecasting.

Enhancing Frontline Response Capabilities

Firefighters worked tirelessly throughout the 2026 wildfire season to protect lives, homes, and critical infrastructure under exceptionally demanding conditions and we pay tribute to their service. The Summit reinforced the importance of ensuring Fire and Rescue Services have the capabilities and equipment needed to respond safely and effectively to major wildfires.

The Government will establish a nationally coordinated aerial firefighting capability, this will provide a coordinated mechanism for deploying aviation assets during major wildfire incidents, supporting Fire and Rescue Services to contain the spread, reduce duration and protect communities.

The Government will also invest in wildfire personal protective equipment for firefighters across England, improving their safety and protection when responding to incidents in the most demanding of conditions.

In addition, the Government will create a dedicated Wildfires AI Unit within COBR’s National Situation Centre. Bringing together expertise from government, academia, industry and international partners, the Unit will use AI, satellite imagery and advanced data analysis to strengthen wildfire detection, forecasting and response. By sharing innovation and best practice with partners such as France, Spain and Australia, it will help frontline responders identify risks earlier, target support more effectively and better protect communities.

Recovery and Adaptation

The summit also highlighted the importance of supporting communities following major wildfires and embedding wildfire resilience into long-term planning.

The Government will establish a new wildfire place-based project, working with twelve communities severely affected by wildfires this summer to develop local resilience plans and identify lessons for wider application.

The Government is also committing to review its approach to funding recovery in communities from major emergencies through future Spending Reviews.

We will work with our international partners on shared research initiatives and operational partnerships, including exploring opportunities to strengthen existing cooperation with partners such as Greece. We will also use international forums, including the Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership and the Leaders’ Summit on Forests at COP31, to strengthen collaboration on wildfire resilience.

A Long-Term Approach to Wildfire Resilience

These measures will be bought together through England’s first Wildfire Action Plan, providing a framework for action across prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

We will also strengthen collaboration with the Devolved Governments, supporting greater coordination, alignment and shared benefits across the UK.

Wildfire presents one of the most significant climate risks facing the country. Through targeted investment, stronger coordination and preparedness and prevention activity, the Government is taking practical action to protect and support frontline services and communities across the UK.

But wildfire is part of a much broader challenge. As Storm Boelo demonstrates, communities are increasingly having to contend with the impacts of extreme weather – from strong winds and heavy rainfall to flooding and drought. Building our resilience therefore means ensuring our emergency services are equipped and supported to respond to the full range of risks that extreme weather can bring.

Flooding is one of the most significant climate risks facing the UK. Fire and Rescue Services in England play a critical role when flooding threatens communities, including carrying out rescues from water. However, unlike in other areas across the UK, there is currently no explicit statutory duty on Fire and Rescues Services in England to undertake flood rescue.

The Government has therefore announced its intention to introduce a statutory flood rescue duty for Fire and Rescue Services in England. The detailed scope and implementation will be developed with the sector, national employers and key partners through a planned, wider role reform consultation taking place next year.

Taken together, the measures announced on Friday 23rd October mark an important step towards strengthening our preparedness for future wildfire seasons, whilst ensuring Fire and Rescue Services are ready to meet the wider challenges posed by extreme weather and a changing climate.

https://www.theyworkforyou.com/wms/?id=2026-10-26.hcws418.0