Yorkshire Fire Services Unite To Prevent Devastating Summer Wildfires

Fire and rescue services across Yorkshire have joined forces to launch a region-wide campaign aimed at preventing devastating moorland wildfires this summer.

Devastating moorland wildfires will be the target of a region-wide prevention campaign this summer.

Fire and rescue services from across Yorkshire have united to amplify the #BeMoorAware initiative ahead of the school holidays.

The collaborative effort aims to reduce the risk of another destructive wildfire season. National Resilience data reveals that crews across England and Wales responded to 342 wildfires between January and early July this year, compared with 639 incidents during the same period in 2025.

Last year became the busiest wildfire season on record, with 1,006 incidents recorded nationally, surpassing the previous high of 994 in 2022.

The severe impact of these blazes was felt locally during the Langdale and Fylingdales Moor wildfire in North Yorkshire in August 2025. The blaze, which was declared a major incident, scorched approximately 25 square kilometres of moorland and forestry. Investigators from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service later concluded that a naked flame from a campfire or gas burner sparked the destruction.

Director of Community Risk and Resilience at North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Tom Hirst, said:

"In August 2025, North Yorkshire experienced one of the largest and most complex wildfires recorded in England, affecting around 25 square kilometres of moorland and forestry across Fylingdales Moor and the surrounding Langdale Forest at its peak.

The incident demonstrated how modern wildfires can devastate our landscapes, place significant pressure on emergency services, and affect local communities and the wider resilience system. We are pleased to be working with neighbouring fire and rescue services to raise awareness of the risks associated with unsafe behaviours and the positive steps we can all take to help prevent wildfires."

Everyday human activities cause many of these rural fires. Warm, dry weather turns even the smallest ignition source into a fast-moving inferno. Fire officials are urging the public to avoid using disposable barbecues, campfires, or gas burners on moorland. Visitors should also take all litter home, dispose of cigarettes responsibly, and immediately report any fires using the 999 system and the what3words app.

Head of Prevention at Humberside Fire and Rescue Service, Sarah Wilkinson, said:

"As we experience warmer, drier summers, it's more important than ever that people understand the risks that grassland and wildfires pose to our communities, countryside and wildlife.

We are delighted to be working with our fire and rescue partners across Yorkshire to raise awareness of how quickly these fires can spread and the devastating impact they can have on the environment, local residents and the firefighters responding to them.

We want everyone to enjoy the outdoors safely this summer by taking simple precautions, such as disposing of rubbish responsibly, avoiding activities that could start a fire, and reporting any signs of fire immediately. Together, we can help protect Yorkshire's green spaces and keep our communities safe."

The campaign, originally developed in West Yorkshire, will now see consistent safety messaging shared across all four regional fire services.

Lead Wildfire Officer for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Mick Rhodes, said:

"West Yorkshire saw its highest January-to-May wildfire count in six years during 2025, with 31 incidents recorded by the end of May. While the number of wildfires this year is lower than last, it only takes one spark to cause significant damage.

Yorkshire's moorlands are among our most valuable natural environments, but during prolonged periods of warm, dry weather they can become incredibly vulnerable.

Most wildfires are preventable. By making simple choices, such as leaving disposable barbecues at home, taking litter away with you and never lighting open fires on the moors, everyone has a role to play in protecting our countryside, wildlife and the communities that surround it. Working together across Yorkshire sends a powerful message that wildfire prevention is everyone's responsibility."

Lengthy operations to extinguish these fires severely impact emergency cover for other incidents.

Group Manager in South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service's Community Safety Team, Chris Tyler, said:

"Wildfires continue to pose a significant risk, so I'm delighted that fire and rescue services across Yorkshire are supporting this campaign to raise awareness of the impact these fires have on both the countryside and our firefighters.

Not only are animals and habitats destroyed by wildfires, but these incidents often take a long time for our crews to extinguish, reducing their availability to respond to other potentially life-threatening emergencies."