MP Calls for Wild Camping Ban After Cause of Fylingdales Moor Blaze Revealed

MPs representing areas around the Langdale Moor blaze have said they are ‘infuriated’ by what is believed to have started the fire last summer.

​The MPs for Scarborough and Whitby and Thirsk and Malton, as well as councillors, have reacted to the findings of investigators that the blaze, which burned for more than 40 days, was likely started by someone using a campfire or gas burner.

​At its height, the fire covered 10 sq miles (26 sq km) of moorland, reaching close to RAF Fylingdales in the North York Moors National Park, and was declared a major incident.

​Whitby MP Alison Hume and Malton’s Kevin Hollinrake called for a rethink of wild camping rules and said that there “should be consequences”.

The leader of North Yorkshire Council has said the authority will continue to support those affected, while a Green Party councillor said efforts should be focused on fighting climate change which was “the real cause of the moor fires”.

​Ms Hume said:

“No one should be wild camping in our precious national park.

​“It’s clear the status quo, that discreet wild camping is ok as long as campers ‘leave no trace’, has failed with catastrophic consequences.

​“We were so fortunate that, thanks to the heroic efforts of fire crews and the farmers, no lives were lost.”

​The Labour MP told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS):

“I hope Forestry England, the North York Moors Authority and landowners will be putting up dozens of new signs now warning people not to light fires or disposable barbecues.”

​It was only on 23 September that North Yorkshire Fire Service confirmed it was no longer being treated as a major incident.

​Part of the affected area had been used as a tank training ground during World War Two, and there were more than 18 explosions as the fire burned.

​Conservative party chairman and Thirsk and Malton MP Mr Hollinrake said:

“The confirmation that this devastating wildfire is believed to have been caused by someone cooking over a naked flame is frankly infuriating.

​“This was entirely avoidable. The fire caused serious environmental damage, put livelihoods at risk and imposed significant economic costs on the local community.

​“That makes it even more angering given the extraordinary efforts of local volunteers, farmers and emergency services who worked around the clock to limit the destruction.”

​Speaking to the LDRS, he said that

“where reckless behaviour is suspected, there must be consequences. Rural communities should not be left to pick up the bill for acts of carelessness.”

“I pay tribute once again to North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, alongside the farmers, gamekeepers and residents who stepped forward without hesitation to protect homes, land, and wildlife."

​Commenting on the findings of the “in-depth” 150-hour investigation, chief fire officer Jonathan Dyson said:

“The Fylingdales Moor fire was one of the most complex multi-agency incidents the Service has ever attended. I would like to once again thank local communities, farmers, gamekeepers and our colleagues from other fire and rescue services for the vital support they gave us.

“The fact that this fire is believed to have been started by cooking using a naked flame, such as a campfire or gas burner, is a stark reminder of how quickly wildfires can take hold, particularly in hot, dry and windy conditions.”

Responding to the publication of the cause of the worst wildfire in North Yorkshire’s history, North Yorkshire Council’s leader, Cllr Carl Les, said:

“The result of the very detailed fire investigation states that the cause of this major incident is believed to be cooking using a naked flame, such as a campfire or gas burner.

“This milestone moment may trigger reflection and memories which may be difficult for the communities and businesses most impacted by what was without doubt a terrifying blaze.”

However,  the Green Party’s Cllr Andy Brown, who represents Aire Valley, said:

”The real cause of the moor fires that inflicted so much damage to local people and the local environment was not some unidentified possible camp fire as the Leader of North Yorkshire Council has stated.

“It was an exceptional period of dry weather leaving moors so tinder dry that the very ground caught fire.

“That was the product of climate change and serious action is going to be needed to rewet more of our uplands if we are going to limit the damage fossil fuel companies and oil states are doing to our community and our landscape.”