A fire that consumed nearly 1,000 acres of moorland in northern England has prompted a debate about the potential risks associated with rewilding initiatives. The blaze on Tintwistle Moor, near Glossop in Derbyshire, began on Wednesday amid a period of record-breaking June temperatures, leaving the ground extremely dry.
Multiple fire engines and two helicopters were engaged in efforts to contain the fire by Friday. Thick smoke and ash from the inferno spread across neighboring towns and villages.
While the specific cause of the fire remains undetermined, critics have voiced concerns that government rewilding policies may be exacerbating wildfire dangers. These critics argue that restrictions on traditional land management practices, such as controlled burning of heather and grasses, have led to a buildup of dry vegetation, creating conditions ripe for ignition during heatwaves.
Historically, gamekeepers and farmers conducted controlled burns during cooler months to encourage new growth for grazing animals. However, recent regulations have significantly limited controlled burning on large areas of land.
Victoria Atkins, Shadow Environment Secretary, stated that the restrictions represent an "idealistic" approach that overlooks the role of managed burns in mitigating large-scale fires. "The terrible fire in Derbyshire is a stark reminder of how important it is to do everything possible to stop wildfires," she said. Atkins added that farmers, estate managers, gamekeepers, and firefighters understand that carefully planned controlled burns are essential for limiting the scale and danger of wildfires. She criticized the government for not recognizing the trade-off between preventative managed burning and the risk of large, unpredictable wildfires.
Andrew Gilruth of the Moorlands Association pointed to Natural England's efforts to prevent farmers and gamekeepers from reducing vegetation as a central issue. He noted that the Tintwistle Moor fire occurred on land rewilded by the RSPB, which he contends has resulted in a significant accumulation of dry, flammable dead vegetation. Gilruth suggested that proactive measures are needed to prevent such incidents.
Natural England maintains that burning damages carbon-storing peat and advocates for mechanical cutting as an alternative. Critics, however, argue that while cutting reduces fuel load, it leaves behind ignitable material.
Earlier in the week, gamekeeper Richard Bailey warned Parliamentarians that the accumulation of vegetation leads to hotter, more dangerous fires. The National Fire Chiefs Council has reported that 2025 has already seen a record number of wildfires, surpassing the previous peak in 2022. Last August, the UK's largest wildfire burned for over a month in the North York Moors.
Groups involved in grouse shooting assert that controlled burning is crucial for clearing old heather without harming peat and for stimulating new growth. Alex Farrell of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) expressed concern that restrictions on controlled burning have diminished land managers' ability to control fuel loads, potentially increasing wildfire risk.
Gavin Lane, President of the Country Landowners and Business Association (CLA), described the current licensing system for burning as overly complex and impractical. He emphasized the need for a system that allows land managers to protect the environment, especially with increasing wildfire dangers due to hotter, drier weather.
Henrietta Appleton, policy officer at the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, stated that restrictions on vegetation management in protected uplands are compounding wildfire risks, especially as climate change leads to increased vegetation growth in warmer winters and drier summers. She called for the appointment of a Wildfire Mitigation Minister to develop local strategies for managing vegetation fuel.
Labour MP Alison Hume, who chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Wildfires Prevention, stressed the urgency of addressing wildfire risks before tragedies occur and called for the publication of a national wildfire strategy.
United Utilities, the owner of Tintwistle Moors, confirmed it is supporting the fire service and stated its long-term strategy involves restoring peatlands to a wetter condition, as dry peat is more vulnerable to fire. The company indicated that vegetation management is conducted on a site-specific basis, including cutting where appropriate, to reduce fuel load and manage vegetation structure.