Wildfires in the UK: Why have there been so many already in 2025?

• WATCH: Firefighters tackle blaze on Bodmin moor

There have already been two wildfires in the West Country this spring, with at least four breaking out nationwide over the weekend (5-6 April).

In Cornwall, there were a number of gorse fires on Bodmin Moor, with the smoke temporarily closing the A30 at Bolventor on Saturday 5 April.

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service said blazes were seen in the area of Dozmary Pool, Millpool and Colliford Lake.

They added that the cause of the fires was not yet known, but they were investigating and appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

It follows a blaze on Rosenannon Downs, a nature reserve near St Columb, on Thursday 20 March, which is believed to have been arson.

Roughly a quarter of the 275-acre Cornwall Wildlife Trust site was scorched to the ground, with adders, common lizards, field mice and ground nesting birds, including skylarks and meadow pipits, all likely victims of the fire.

According to the fire service, last year the number of wildfires in Cornwall increased by 80% compared with the previous year and there were on average almost two wildfires per week.

Impact on wildlife

With regard to the fire on Rosenannon Downs, Cornwall Wildlife Trust has condemned the alleged arson.

The site was home to Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s herd of seven Shetland ponies, whose grazing helps create, restore and maintain its heathland habitats.

The trust said that "while the ponies were thankfully physically unharmed, they were indicating signs of distress, having had to flee the flames".

Andy Collins, Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s Mid-Cornwall reserve manager, arrived on-site the night of the fire to inspect as much of the damage as possible and ensure the welfare of the Shetland ponies.

He said: “This arson attack is nothing but the mindless destruction of nature. Those responsible have shown no regard for the wildlife for whom the site is home, the local environment, or the wellbeing of our ponies, whose lives were placed at risk.

"Some animals, like our ponies, will have been able to escape, while others will have sadly died in the fire. It is incomprehensible to me why anyone would wish to cause such harm.”

The trust added that the ponies had now been moved to a safer location.

In an update on their website, they said: "The fire was larger than initially expected and our team have now mapped it out and discovered it covers an area of just over 86 acres, or approximately 65 football fields.

"Many commenters have suggested that the fire was a land management practice called swaling, a controlled burn used to manage vegetation.

"While this is a practice we undertake at times, and have done at Roesnannon Downs with the support of local people and members of the fire brigade, we can categorically confirm that we would not have carried out a controlled burn at Rosenannon Downs at this time of the year.

"On the spring equinox when wildlife is awakening, ground-nesting birds are beginning to nest, and species like adders are emerging.

"If we carry out swaling, it is of small, controlled patches at the correct time of year, calculated to avoid disturbance to wildlife and away from fences and private property.

"We would not have lit a fire when winds were so strong or at that time of the evening. We consider this fire an attack on nature and a serious risk to people and property in the area."

Is climate change responsible for the increased fire risk?

New research by the Met Office shows that the damaging fires during the UK’s record-breaking 2022 heatwave were made at least six times more likely due to human-caused climate change.

ITV News approached the Met Office for their view on the current wildfire risk in the UK and whether this can be directly attributed to climate change.

A spokesperson said: "In terms of our specific weather at the moment, it’s not possible to attribute what we’re seeing right now with climate change, other than the usual background influence.

"We do see dry and warm periods in spring, and that’s what we’re having at the moment. We haven’t breached any long-standing records as part of this pattern so far.

"UK springs are quite variable in nature, which can lead to periods of wet and windy weather, but also warmer and drier weather.

"On the longer term, there are some things we can say around wildfire risk in the UK and climate change.

"Research suggests more frequent and larger fires are possible as climate change results in longer and drier summers, but seasonal changes through spring and summer, and changes in land management, make comparisons difficult. Natural variability of weather will also continue to play a role.

"Current climate change projections suggest that we are likely to see an increase in the conditions needed for wildfire across the UK as temperatures increase, and spells of low rainfall become more common.

"However, for individual locations the likelihood of wildfire will depend on factors such land management, as the type and health of vegetation, and interaction with people and their activities."

When can you burn gorse and heather?

There are times of the year when burning areas of gorse and heather is allowed.

The burning season is from:

• 1 October to 15 April in upland areas

• 1 November to 31 March in other areas

You must apply for a licence from Natural England if you're intending to burn a very large or steep area, and if the fire will leave the soil smouldering for more than 48 hours.

If you want to burn an area of Special Scientific Interest, you'll need a Defra licence. Full details of when a burning licence is required can be found here.

Wildfires across the country

There have also been wildfires in other parts of the country, with three others during the weekend of 5-6 April alone.

Scores of birds, insects, mammals and reptiles are thought to have perished in a blaze on Gentleshaw Common, in Staffordshire, on Saturday 5 April.

The following day, 100 firefighters were deployed to the Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland to tackle gorse fires there.

And in Scotland, a blaze broke out in Galloway Forest Park, affecting Merrick Hill, Ben Yellary, Glen Trool and Loch Dee near Newton Stewart.

Just last week, on Wednesday 2 April, flames tore through Upton Heath, near Poole in Dorset, and on Saturday 5 April, there was another wildfire overnight at Moors Valley Country Park, which is thought to have been arson.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Rescue Service Fire Investigation lead, group manager Shaun Milton said: “We are working hard with Forestry England, Dorset Police and other key partners to try to stop these fires from occurring.

"But I am frustrated to have had to go back to the forest last night to witness the mindless destruction of this beautiful habitat."

• WATCH: Upton Heath fire from the sky

Analysis from ITV News West Country weather presenter, Charlie Powell

The risk of wildfire, or fire severity index, is often high during spring, especially if it has been dry.

Although winter rainfall was pretty close to average, we've had the fourth driest March on record for the West Country and April is following suit with very little rain recorded during the first week.

However, despite daytime temperatures being well above average, it's not these alone that necessarily lead to more fires.

Fires depend on a combination of available fuel, weather conditions and an ignition source, either by human influence or lightning strikes.

Vegetation provides the fuel for fires, and both the amount of vegetation and its level of dryness are important.

Moist, live vegetation burns less readily, whereas dry, dead vegetation is more likely to catch fire and allow the fire to spread.

The winds have also been noticeably strong over the past few days and weeks, and these help to spread the flames quickly, making wild fires even harder to control and manage.

Guidance from Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service has released the following advice for landowners and visitors to the countryside.

If you are going to do a controlled burn on your land, read this first: Heather and grass burning: rules and applying for a licence.

If you don’t follow the rules for burning grass or heather you can be prosecuted and fined.

CFRS Service invites responsible parties, who may be considering controlled burning to:

• Put in place an effective burn plan.

• Inform Critical Control Centre of intended burns, by calling 0203 162 2240.

• Draw upon CFRS knowledge.

• Make use of limited fire and rescue service resources i.e. beaters, Land Rover crew to observe specific burns.

Download our arson prevention poster for use around your land if fires are being started deliberately.

Help protect the countryside

Fires in the countryside can easily be started accidentally, or even deliberately.

A carelessly discarded cigarette can lead to a huge fire, where the results to the wildlife can be devastating, so please follow this code and help to keep Cornwall's countryside free from fire.

• Do not discard cigarettes in the countryside.

• Do not leave glass items around after a picnic or barbecue. Put them in the bin. Remember the fire safety information on barbecues.

• Only light fires or barbecues in designated areas using the facilities provided.

• Fires must be built at least 10m downwind from vegetation, tents and caravans.

• Clear a patch of bare earth to build the fire on.

• Ensure the fire collapses inwards when it burns.

• Do not leave it unattended.

• Never use petrol or paraffin on a fire.

• Do not put batteries, aerosols or other gas cylinders on the fire.

• If you see a fire in the countryside, report it immediately.

• Don't attempt to tackle fires that can't be put out with a bucket of water – leave the area as quickly as possible

Irresponsible behaviour

Anyone with information on fires being deliberately started in the countryside are advised to anonymously call Crimestoppers free on 0800 555 111 or contact Devon and Cornwall Police on 101 with information.

Arson puts both the public and firefighters at unnecessary risk. It ties up resources that could be in demand for other more serious incidents.