After a summer Wales won't forget,
help us #BurnToProtect
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 by supporting this year's #BurnToProtect campaign.
The appeal comes after 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 conditions that allowed wildfires to spread rapidly across the countryside.
During July and August, Fire and Rescue Services across Wales dealt with a series of major wildfire incidents, including at Conwy Mountain, Llanwonno Mountain, Llangynidr Reservoir and Rhandirmwyn.
These incidents demanded large-scale, multi-agency responses, with firefighters working alongside Natural Resources Wales, local authorities, landowners, farming communities and other partners to protect people, property, farmland and the environment.
The impact was felt far beyond the fireground. Communities experienced disruption and uncertainty, farmers and landowners saw land affected, valuable habitats were damaged and emergency services faced sustained pressure throughout the summer. In some areas, support was required from neighbouring Fire and Rescue Services and specialist partners to help manage the scale and duration of incidents.
The events of this summer have reinforced an important message: wildfire resilience cannot be delivered by any single organisation. It depends on strong partnerships between land managers, emergency services, public bodies, local communities and government, all working together to reduce risk and improve preparedness.
As Wales enters burn season, responsible land management has an important role to play in reducing fuel loads and helping to build more resilient landscapes. Controlled burning remains an established and valuable land management tool when carefully planned and undertaken safely.
Farmers and landowners can burn heather, grass, bracken and gorse between 1 October and 15 March, extending until 31 March 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 before any fire is lit.
Before carrying out a controlled burn
The Wales Wildfire Board encourages landowners to:
- Notify your local Fire and Rescue Service before undertaking a controlled burn.
- Ensure sufficient people and suitable equipment are available to maintain control of the fire.
- Check weather conditions and wind direction before lighting any fire.
- Consider nearby homes, roads, livestock, habitats and wildlife.
- Never leave a fire unattended.
- Ensure the fire is fully extinguished before leaving the site and revisit the area afterwards to check for any reignition.
- Call 999 immediately if a fire escapes your control and provide accurate location information.
Andy Wright, Chair of the Wales Wildfire Board and Senior Specialist Advisor for Plant Health and Knowledge Transfer at Natural Resources Wales, said:
"This summer has changed the conversation around wildfire in Wales.
Communities across the country witnessed first-hand the scale of the challenge we face and the significant resources required to tackle large wildfires.
The lessons from recent months are clear. Wildfire prevention and resilience cannot be achieved by emergency services alone. They depend on strong partnerships between farmers, landowners, local communities, public services and government.
Farmers and landowners know their land better than anyone. By planning carefully, understanding the risks and working closely with Fire and Rescue Services, Natural Resources Wales and farming representatives, they can play a vital role in reducing wildfire risk and protecting livelihoods, landscapes and communities.
Every responsible decision taken this burn season will help strengthen Wales' resilience and reduce the likelihood of the kind of large-scale wildfires we experienced this summer."
Working together to build a more resilient Wales
The Wales Wildfire Board brings together Fire and Rescue Services, Natural Resources Wales, land managers and partner organisations to better understand and reduce wildfire risk across Wales.
The experience of the 2026 wildfire season will help inform future discussions on how Wales can strengthen its approach to wildfire prevention, preparedness and long-term resilience. By sharing knowledge, learning from incidents and working together, partners across Wales can help protect communities, businesses, farmland, wildlife and the natural environment from the growing threat of wildfire.
For further information about the #BurnToProtect campaign, including guidance on safe burning practices and downloadable resources, please visit your local Fire and Rescue Service website.
Burn to Protect Campaign Resources
The 2026 wildfire season highlighted the growing challenge wildfire presents to Wales. Record-breaking temperatures, prolonged dry conditions and a series of major wildfire incidents placed significant pressure on emergency responders, partner agencies, farmers, landowners and communities across the country.
The experience of this summer has reinforced the importance of prevention, preparedness and partnership working. Reducing wildfire risk requires a coordinated approach, bringing together Fire and Rescue Services, Natural Resources Wales, land managers, farming representatives, public bodies and local communities to share knowledge, promote good practice and build long-term resilience.
The Wales Wildfire Board's #BurnToProtect campaign supports this collective effort by encouraging safe and responsible land management during the burn season, while raising awareness of the role everyone can play in reducing wildfire risk.
This resource hub has been created to help partners, stakeholders and supporters access campaign materials and share consistent wildfire prevention messages across Wales.
Available resources include:
- Press releases (English and Welsh versions) supporting the campaign.
- Pre-prepared and translated social media content.
- Campaign graphics and imagery for use across social media channels.
- Photographs, videos and incident footage available to support campaign activity.
- Staff briefing materials and supporting communications resources.
- Additional campaign assets and guidance developed throughout the burn season.
By working together and sharing a common message, we can help protect communities, livelihoods, landscapes and wildlife from the devastating impacts of wildfire.
If you have any questions about the #BurnToProtect campaign, require additional resources, or would like to discuss how your organisation can support the campaign, please get in touch.
MAWWFRS Press Office
pressofficer@mawwfire.gov.uk
Approved Documents
The documents below have been approved for publication.
Social Media Messages
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#BurntoProtect: Wales Wildfire Board All Wales Multi Agency Communications Plan
Building Wildfire Resilience Together
Promotional material used in the #BurntoProtect campaign.
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Protecting our countryside and our country
Promotional material used in the #BurntoProtect campaign.
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Burn Plan Advice to Farmer and Landowners
Promotional material used in the #BurntoProtect campaign.
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Fire Service Specific Messages
Promotional material used in the #BurntoProtect campaign.
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Public Health Specific Messages
Promotional material used in the #BurntoProtect campaign.
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Environmental Messages
Promotional material used in the #BurntoProtect campaign.
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In attendance at Incident Messages
Promotional material used in the #BurntoProtect campaign.
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Thank You Messages
Promotional material used in the #BurntoProtect campaign.
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Don’t Forget
Heather and grass burning with a Burn Plan ended on 15th March (31st March in upland areas).
The Heather and Grass Burning Code.
The Wales Wildfire Board is continuing its work with farmers and landowners across Wales, and together we can try to reverse the loss of Biodiversity in Wales. We understand the benefits and the role that controlled fires have on our landscape, in promoting biological diversity and creating healthier ecosystems.
Farmers and Landowners can continue to burn heather, grass, bracken, and gorse up until the 15 March (up to 31 March in Upland areas), however, they must have a Burn Plan in place to ensure they are burning safely. It is illegal to burn between sunset and sunrise and there must always be sufficient people and equipment on hand to control the burn. Breaking these rules can result in penalties of up to £1000. We want to work with our local landowners to ensure that this doesn’t happen. You can contact us for free advice on safe burning and we have more information on Farm Safety here.
You can find out more about The Heather and Grass Burning Code – and download a Burning Management Plan from the Welsh Government website (opens in a new window/tab).
If you see a fire which looks like it might be out of control or being burnt illegally, then please call CrimeStoppers (opens in a new window/tab) anonymously on 0800 555 111, or ring 101. In an emergency, always call 999.
Remember Fire setting is a crime.
While accidents can happen, there are others within our communities who are deliberately setting fire to our countryside. Deliberate fire setting is a crime and the Task Force is appealing for information on anyone deliberately setting fires to call 101, or to report anonymously to CrimeStoppers (opens in a new window/tab) on 0800 555 111. Anonymous means that no mobile number, address, or location of calls are tracked. Those caught will be prosecuted.
This work is supported by our Arson Reduction team, a problem-solving team, dedicated to reducing and eliminating deliberate fire-setting. The team consists of a seconded Police Officer, a Fire Officer and three specialist arson advisors who ensure that all incidents are investigated and analysed to make our communities safer. The team works closely with its partners to target problematic areas and to consistently develop ways of reducing arson and to identify who or what may be affected. You can find out more about the work of our Arson Reduction Team here.