With two more UK regions now officially in drought, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) is calling for urgent action to tackle the growing threat of wildfires in the countryside.
The NFU warns that hot, dry conditions have left farmland like a tinderbox, endangering crops, livestock, homes, and lives. It follows new Met Office data showing that extreme temperatures are becoming increasingly common.
More than 500 wildfires have already been reported this year, and farm fire damage rose to £110 million in 2023, a 37% increase from 2022, according to NFU Mutual.
The NFU is urging fire services to adopt a new adapter that allows engines to draw water from farm tanks and bowsers; Government to require fire suppression systems on new combine harvesters; Local authorities to ban high-risk activities like barbecues and sky lanterns through PSPOs; and caution in land management policy changes that could raise fire risks in uplands.
NFU vice-president Rachel Hallos said: “Fires can spread frighteningly fast. Farmers are doing their part, but we need support from government and fire services to protect rural communities and food production.”