The Wales Wildfire Board are encouraging you to be #wildfirewise this spring and summer.
As the seasons shift and warmer weather begins to arrive, it’s the perfect opportunity to make the most of the outdoors. Whether that means planning a staycation, heading off on a family camping trip, or simply exploring the beauty of Mid and West Wales countryside.
Spring and Summer come with an increased risk of wildfires. The Wales Wildfire Board are urging everyone to be #WildfireWise by following our simple, practical safety advice. A small amount of extra care can make a huge difference, helping to protect our stunning countryside and keeping communities safe from the devastating impact of wildfire.
In 2025, fire services across Wales attended 3,474 grass fire incidents - a 275% increase on the previous year.
Most concerning of all:
Deliberate grass fires rose to 2,357 incidents, an increase of 1,694 fires (up 256%).
This represents the highest number of grass fires since 2018, highlighting a deeply worrying trend that puts people, property, wildlife, and vital community resources at risk.
At this time of year, grass and mountainsides can dry out quickly. Even a small spark -accidental or deliberate - can escalate into a fast‑moving fire capable of destroying habitats, landscapes, and homes within minutes.
The Wales Wildfire Board want to work with communities to build a healthier and more resilient countryside and to develop a more biodiverse countryside for the future.
Our #WildfireWise campaign aims to educate individuals on the best practices for avoiding and preventing wildfires in Wales.
By raising awareness about the potential dangers of wildfires, the campaign will encourage people to be more vigilant when out enjoying the countryside and proactive in reporting suspicious activities that can lead to fires.
Many wildfires are preventable and there are some simple steps and changes to behaviour that can limit their number and impact.
Andrew Wright, Chair of the Wales Wildfire Board and Senior Specialist Advisor - Plant Health and Knowledge Transfer at Natural Resources Wales said:
“Our Wildfire Wise campaign draws on over a decade of experience in tackling wildfires across Wales, but the scale of last year’s incidents was truly unprecedented. The surge in grass fires we saw in 2025 shows just how urgently we all need to act to protect our countryside and keep our communities safe.
“It’s vital that we work together to build a healthier, more resilient, and biodiverse landscape for the future. Whilst accidents can happen, many are avoidable, and our campaign highlights the simple steps we can all take to prevent grass fires from starting.
“We’re committed to working with communities, farmers, and landowners to share knowledge about the impact of both deliberate and accidental fires. We recognise that controlled burns can support biodiversity, and we’re available to offer free advice on how to carry them out safely.
“And while some fires are accidental, others are set deliberately. This is a criminal act that puts lives at risk and places unnecessary pressure on frontline services — pressure we saw all too clearly during last year’s unprecedented spike in incidents.”
By working together with our communities to share our knowledge, the Wales Wildfire Board hope to provide a better understanding of what we can all do to limit accidental fires from happening and in turn the damage they can cause to our environment.
Find out more about #wildfirewise by visiting #WildfireWise where you can also access some simple safety tips and download the campaign’s safety messages for use on your own social media channels. Together we held stop grass fires and protect our countryside and our country.
Remember - If are out enjoying the countryside and you do come across any suspicious activity, please call CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or ring 101. In an emergency, always call 999.
