Wildfires - being prepared for the unpredictable

Wildland firefighting presents its own particular challenges. Exceptional weather conditions often accompany, and contribute to the spread of, heath or scrubland fires, which are the more common types of wildfire in the UK. The UK’s Fire and Rescue Services respond to around 70,000 grassland fires a year at an estimated cost of £55m. In 2012, severe wildfire was added to the UK’s National Risk Register of Civil Emergencies. Key factors influencing wildfire risk include different weather conditions, topographies and fuel types. The seasonal nature of wildfire incidents is a particular challenge for Fire and Rescue Services.