Rising Wildfire Risk: Why Traditional Moorland Management Must Be Central to Prevention Efforts
- Rob Beeson
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
The BBC has recently reported that the risk of wildfire is increasing across England’s countryside, prompting urgent calls for action to protect landscapes, wildlife, and rural communities.
At The Moorland Association, we have been raising the alarm for some time. Our members manage over one million acres of England’s most precious upland habitats. They have witnessed first-hand the growing threat posed by wildfires - and crucially, they know what works to prevent them.
Traditional moorland management techniques, such as controlled burning (cool, low-intensity burns carried out in winter months) and careful grazing, have been proven over generations to reduce the build-up of vegetation that fuels uncontrollable fires. These practices are not relics of the past; they are essential tools of responsible land stewardship, grounded in both experience and sound science.
We recently wrote to the Deputy Prime Minister to call for stronger leadership and practical action on wildfire resilience. We set out a clear case for policies that work with, not against, the expertise of those who live and work on the land.
The risk of wildfire is not theoretical. Recent fires have devastated landscapes, destroyed wildlife habitat, and endangered communities. Without sensible, proactive management, these risks will only grow.
Blanket bans on controlled burning or over-reliance on remote firefighting strategies ignore the reality on the ground. The countryside cannot be managed from a desk. It requires local knowledge, hands-on care, and respect for the traditional practices that have safeguarded these landscapes for centuries.
Our members are committed to working in partnership with Government, agencies, and the public to ensure that England’s uplands are protected - not just for today, but for generations to come.
The time for leadership is now. Let’s protect our uplands properly, with trusted methods and experienced hands.
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