A record number of wildfires in England and Wales this year has been blamed on government environmental policies, according to campaigners. As of this year, 1,017 wildfires have occurred, matching the total for the entirety of 2025, previously the worst year on record.
With temperatures forecast to reach 38C (100.4F), critics argue that government policies have created tinderbox conditions across the country. The rewilding initiative, which promotes natural land management with minimal human intervention, has led to a significant buildup of dry vegetation, making it susceptible to ignition during heatwaves. Traditionally, gamekeepers and farmers conducted controlled burns of heather and grasses during cooler months to encourage new growth for grazing animals.
Last year, the government extended regulations that prohibit burning on approximately 1.6 million acres of land, a measure reportedly aimed at improving air quality and protecting peatlands. Jonathan Roberts of the Country Land and Business Association stated that restricting controlled burning has made it more difficult for land managers to prevent wildfires. He urged the government to reverse this policy immediately, citing the current wildfire situation as a direct consequence.
The Countryside Alliance echoed these concerns, calling the decision "foolish" and warning that it increases the risk of catastrophic wildfires. The organization noted that the area over which controlled burning is effectively banned in upland areas has more than tripled.
These warnings come as firefighters continue to battle major blazes, including one in the New Forest that has been ongoing for four days. Numerous other fires across the country have strained resources. In South Wales, crews described "carnage" as they managed seven separate fires, some of which are suspected to have been deliberately set.
Lord Botham, a critic of rewilding, called for decisive action from the Prime Minister, suggesting that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) be placed under special measures. He attributed the "wildfire crisis" to "dreadful policy mistakes" and warned of potential fatalities if preventative measures are not taken.
Natural England maintains that heather burning damages carbon-storing peat and advocates for mechanical cutting as an alternative. However, critics argue that while this reduces fuel load, it leaves behind ignitable materials. They contend that the winter burns previously created firebreaks, and the current policy has resulted in vast expanses of continuous, aging vegetation, leading to repeated disasters.
Defra defended its policies as a "long-term" solution, stating that peatland restoration is the most effective and sustainable method for reducing fuel load on degraded peatlands. They argue that healthy peatlands retain more water and are more resilient to wildfires.
Several incidents have highlighted the severity of the situation. Over 100 firefighters were engaged in tackling a large fire in the New Forest. Drivers were forced to abandon vehicles near the A31 due to a fire. In Suffolk, a heathland fire burned for over two weeks, necessitating the evacuation of homes and a holiday caravan park. Images depict devastation at Sychnant Pass in North Wales and farmland destruction in Romford, East London.