How wildfires affect our woods

What causes wildfires?

A wildfire is an uncontrolled vegetation fire that requires action to contain. Although wildfires are a natural phenomenon, naturally-occurring wildfires in the UK are very rare, with the majority sparked by human activity.

In the past, the UK’s wildfire season peaked in spring – when fire risk is very high due to the abundance of dead, dry ground vegetation such as grass and bracken – and in summer. But climate change means our fire season is changing. The weather in spring through to autumn is getting warmer and drier, with more prolonged droughts.

Not only is this making wildfires more severe, it’s also extending the UK’s fire season right through from March to October. The result is that our woods, wildlife and the people who live and work in and around them are increasingly at risk from the threat of wildfires.

The impact of wildfires

We know firsthand the damage wildfires can cause. In 2018, a fire broke out at our Smithills Estate, near Bolton in Lancashire. Beginning on 28 June, the fire burned until the autumn, requiring a massive effort from emergency services to control. By the time it was put out, it had scorched a third of the 1,700-acre site, displacing wildlife and destroying important areas of heathland, peatland and woodland.

While there are now signs of recovery at Smithills, fire continues to be a risk here and on sites across the UK. In 2022, the year when the UK experienced its hottest ever temperature, we had 36 wildfires in our woods. Each one is a threat to precious landscapes and the species which call them home.

How can wildfires be prevented?

The more than 1,000 woods in our care are open and free for everyone to enjoy. But we ask that you do so responsibly.

Most wildfires are triggered by people and this means we all have a role in preventing them.

If you’re out enjoying our woodlands, stick to a few simple guidelines to keep them safe, thriving environments for wildlife, people and communities for years to come.

• Avoid lighting fires. Fires of any kind are not permitted in our woodlands as they can disturb wildlife, damage sensitive habitats and alter the pH of the soil, even if they aren’t out of control.
• Choose a picnic over a disposable barbecue. We know it’s tempting when the weather is nice but disposable barbecues can easily destroy seed banks, damage benches and tables or trigger larger fires. They are not permitted in our woodlands.
• Fully extinguish cigarettes and dispose of them responsibly. It only takes a small ember to start a fire.
• Take your litter home. Glass left in direct sunlight can cause a fire, so please make sure no litter is left in our woods.

If you do wish to have a campfire or barbecue, please visit one of the many places across the UK which do allow these activities and provide areas where they can be done safely.

What to do if you see a wildfire

If you come across a fire in any of our woodlands, it’s important to act quickly and follow the right steps to ensure fire crews can respond effectively.

1. Get to safety. Wildfires can be deadly and unpredictable. You should prioritise your own safety before anything else.
2. Call 999. Do not assume somebody else has already done it. Stay calm, state your location and describe the fire’s size and direction of travel.
3. Stay well away. In certain conditions wildfires can move faster than a person can run, and embers in the air or smoldering underground can spread the fire to new locations.
4. Always follow the emergency services’ advice. They will work with us to bring the fire under control.

While the majority of fires are started unintentionally, unfortunately some are deliberate. If you see someone acting suspiciously in our woods, please report it to the police.