Farmers, landowners given green light to 'control burn'

The Wales Wildfire Board is calling on farmers, landowners and rural communities across Wales to play their part in reducing the risk of future wildfires as it launches its annual #BurnToProtect campaign.

The launch follows one of the most significant wildfire seasons Wales has experienced. Summer 2026 was Wales’ hottest on record and included the driest July ever recorded, creating ideal conditions for wildfire to spread rapidly across the countryside. During July and August, Welsh Fire and Rescue Services declared four major wildfire incidents at Conwy Mountain, Llanwonno Mountain, Llangynidr Reservoir and Rhandirmwyn.

The scale, duration and intensity of these incidents placed unprecedented pressure not only on emergency services, but also on partner agencies, local communities, farmers and landowners who found themselves on the frontline of the response.

Recognising that controlled burning remains an important land management tool when undertaken responsibly, the Wales Wildfire Board is encouraging those planning burns this season to work closely with their local Fire and Rescue Service, Natural Resources Wales, farming unions and other partners.

Farmers and landowners can burn heather, grass, bracken and gorse from October 1 until March 15 each year, extending until March 31 in upland areas. However, anyone intending to undertake a controlled burn should ensure a burn plan is in place and that all appropriate precautions have been taken.

As part of the #BurnToProtect campaign, the Wales Wildfire Board is reminding landowners of some simple but important safety advice:

• Notify your local Fire and Rescue Service before undertaking a controlled burn.
• Ensure you have sufficient people and equipment available to control the fire.
• Check weather conditions and wind direction before lighting any fire.
• Consider nearby properties, roads, livestock, habitats and wildlife.
• If a fire gets out of control, contact the Fire and Rescue Service immediately and provide accurate location details.
• Never leave a fire unattended.
• Ensure any fire is fully extinguished before leaving the site and revisit the area afterwards to check for reignition.

Andy Wright, Chair of the Wales Wildfire Board and Senior Specialist Advisor - Plant Health and Knowledge Transfer at Natural Resources Wales, said: “This summer has changed the conversation around wildfire in Wales.

“People saw first-hand the scale of resources required to tackle large wildfires and the impact they can have on communities, businesses, farmland and the environment.

“One of the clearest lessons from recent months is that wildfire resilience cannot be delivered by emergency services alone. It depends on strong partnerships between land managers, public services, farmers, local communities and government.

“The Wales Wildfire Board was established to bring those partners together, ensuring we share expertise, learn from major incidents and take practical steps to reduce risk.

“My message to farmers and landowners is simple: please take the time to plan, understand the risks and engage with your local partners before undertaking any controlled burn.

“You know your land better than anyone. By working with Fire and Rescue Services, Natural Resources Wales and farming representatives, you can play a crucial role in protecting livelihoods, enhancing resilience and helping to prevent the kind of large-scale wildfires that affected communities across Wales this summer.

“Wildfire prevention starts long before a fire begins. Every responsible decision taken this burn season is a step towards protecting our communities, our countryside and future generations.”

The Wales Wildfire Board brings together Fire and Rescue Services, Natural Resources Wales, Police Forces, farming unions, land managers and other partner organisations to better understand and reduce wildfire risk across Wales.

By working together and sharing knowledge, the Wales Wildfire Board hopes to increase understanding of the simple actions that can reduce the likelihood and impact of wildfires, helping to protect Wales’ communities, countryside and natural environment.

For further information about the #BurnToProtect campaign, including safety guidance and downloadable resources, visit your local Fire and Rescue Service website.