A map has been released detailing the regions in the UK most susceptible to wildfires, with efforts ongoing to extinguish a fire near the largest nuclear power station in Britain.
Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service has reported progress in managing the situation, although they caution that the fire near Sizewell B, at Dunwich Heath near Leiston, remains a dynamic incident.
The service provided an update stating that emergency teams have been present at the location continuously and have maintained vigilance throughout the night.
The prevalence of devastating wildfires is on the rise, particularly in the face of the climate crisis, compounded by this year’s notably dry conditions and consecutive heatwaves.
Based on data from the Moorland Association, a map highlights the wildfire risk across the country, pinpointing the most vulnerable areas.
The High Peak constituency in Derbyshire, where a significant moorland fire occurred at Tintwistle Moor, is identified as the highest-risk area. Fire crews were initially dispatched to Tintwistle Moor near Glossop on June 24, with a major incident declaration made on July 13.
Calder Valley, encompassing parts of West Yorkshire including Hebden Bridge, and Tiverton and Minehead on the Devon-Somerset border, rank as the second and third most at-risk areas, respectively.
Regions in the west of England, Wales, and parts of Scotland generally face a heightened risk of wildfires.
The Environment Agency recently declared that half of England is experiencing drought conditions due to soaring temperatures and minimal rainfall. Water Minister Emma Hardy has urged readiness for this “new normal” attributed to climate change, as water sources diminish, hosepipe bans are enforced, and the wildfire threat escalates.
Firefighters across the UK have been combatting severe blazes this summer, including incidents in Dovestone in Greater Manchester, Tintwistle Moor in Derbyshire, and Cairngorms National Park in Scotland.
In Europe, Spain declared a national emergency as multiple wildfires merged into an uncontrollable front, leading to evacuations in France.
Andrew Gilruth, CEO of the Moorland Association, criticized rewilding initiatives for introducing highly flammable vegetation into Britain’s uplands, exacerbating the fire risk.
He called upon newly appointed Prime Minister Andy Burnham to promptly address the issue by permitting farmers and gamekeepers to reduce the vegetation overload, warning of potential disasters if action is not taken.
In contrast, Rebecca Wrigley, chief executive of Rewilding Britain, argued that blaming rewilding overlooks the real issues, emphasizing the importance of addressing climate change and ecosystem degradation to mitigate the wildfire threat.
She highlighted the need to focus on prevention strategies, public awareness, responsive emergency services, and resilient landscapes to combat wildfires effectively.
The assessment by the Moorland Association evaluates the hazard, exposure, and vulnerability of each area to determine the wildfire risk, considering factors like vegetation fuel, climate conditions, and evacuation challenges.