The government quietly abandoned plans to prepare England's countryside for wildfires, according to documents obtained under a Freedom of Information request, despite data showing fire services lack adequate protective equipment.
Key facts
- An FOI request revealed the wildfire risk scheme was scrapped.
- A survey found many fire services lack proper protective gear to tackle wildfires.
- The UK experienced record-breaking wildfires this summer.
- Hot and dry weather turned large parts of the countryside into a tinderbox.
The government quietly scrapped plans to prepare the countryside in England for wildfires, according to a report by the Guardian. The revelation came from a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, which showed the wildfire risk scheme had been dropped.
The decision was made despite new data showing that fire crews do not have the proper protective gear to tackle wildfires. A survey highlighted that many fire services lack the appropriate equipment to respond to these incidents.
The disclosure comes after a summer that the Guardian described as a potent reminder of the scale of the threat posed by the climate crisis. The UK experienced record-breaking wildfires following periods of hot and dry weather.
According to the Guardian, the punishingly hot and dry conditions turned large parts of the English countryside into a tinderbox, raising concerns about the country’s preparedness for future fire seasons.
The combination of a scrapped preparedness scheme and reports of inadequate protective equipment for fire crews has drawn attention to how the government is responding to the growing wildfire risk linked to climate change.
Why it matters
Wildfires are becoming more frequent and severe as the climate crisis intensifies, putting countryside, communities and emergency responders at risk. The decision to drop a preparedness scheme, combined with gaps in protective equipment for fire crews, raises questions about England's readiness for future fire seasons.
Frequently asked questions
How was the scrapping of the wildfire plan revealed?
It was revealed through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, as reported by the Guardian.
Do fire services have the right equipment to tackle wildfires?
According to a survey cited by the Guardian, many fire services lack the proper protective gear to tackle wildfires.
Why is wildfire risk a growing concern in England?
The UK experienced record-breaking wildfires this summer after hot and dry weather turned large parts of the countryside into a tinderbox, which the Guardian described as a reminder of the threat posed by the climate crisis.