Scarborough and Whitby MP Alison Hume is launching an All-Party Parliamentary Group on Wildfire Prevention to improve national resilience and support communities following last summer's devastating blaze on the North York Moors.
Scarborough and Whitby MP Alison Hume is establishing an All-Party Parliamentary Group on Wildfire Prevention.
The initiative aims to ensure that vital lessons are learned from the devastating Fylingdales Moor and Langdale blaze that occurred last summer.
Ms Hume's new group has been designed to strengthen national resilience to future incidents and to improve the support network available for affected communities.
The newly formed All-Party Parliamentary Group will bring together Members of Parliament and Peers from across the political spectrum. Their primary objective will be to examine all aspects of wildfire prevention, preparedness, and recovery.
Such groups play an important role in Parliament, providing a dedicated forum for politicians from different parties and both Houses to collaborate on specific issues. They also help to inform future policy and engage with key stakeholders and experts.
Announcing the creation of the new group, Alison Hume said:
“Last summer's wildfire showed just how devastating these incidents can be, not only for our environment but for the people and communities left to deal with the consequences long after the flames have been extinguished.
“My colleagues and I want this APPG to become a strong voice for wildfire prevention and resilience, while also making the case for better support for those still living with the consequences of these disasters.”
The move by the Scarborough and Whitby MP follows the most significant wildfire ever experienced on the North York Moors.
At its height, the blaze was officially declared a major national incident. The fire burned across up to twenty-five square kilometres of moorland and threatened RAF Fylingdales, which is considered a critical piece of national and international security infrastructure.
The Labour Government recently committed £3.2 million towards restoration work in the area, alongside the introduction of specialist national wildfire support.
While welcoming this financial commitment, Ms Hume has insisted that more must be done to recognise the long-term impact that such disasters have on those affected. As part of her campaigning on the issue, she successfully helped to accelerate repairs to critical fencing in the affected area.
Since the wildfire took place, the MP has held regular meetings with farmers, gamekeepers, and other members of the local community.
These local figures put themselves in harm's way during the blaze to help fire crews protect lives, homes, businesses, and the surrounding countryside.
Ms Hume has also visited members of the North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service who were involved in the extensive operation, hearing first-hand accounts about the sheer scale of the challenge they faced on the moors.
Speaking about the necessity of a coordinated response, Alison Hume added:
“All-Party Parliamentary Groups are uniquely placed to bring together politicians, experts, charities, emergency services and communities to drive meaningful change.
"The fact that this fire threatened RAF Fylingdales underlines the seriousness of what happened.
“As climate pressures increase and wildfires become more frequent, we need a coordinated national approach that focuses not only on prevention and response, but also on recovery and support for affected communities.”
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