Wildfires: Coming together to look after the places we love

Our National Parks are living and working places where people come to enjoy the outdoors, connect with nature and spend time with friends and family. This summer, exceptionally hot and dry conditions increased the risk of wildfire across parts of the UK. 

Several National Parks have experienced fires or periods of very high fire risk this summer, including the Cairngorms National Park, where a significant wildfire has affected parts of Glenmore and Strath Nethy. 

Across the country, we’ve seen particularly high temperatures this summer. Wildfires can move quickly in dry conditions, and when they spread, they affect wildlife, habitats, farmland, homes and the people who live and work in National Parks. But this summer has also shown the huge amount of care that goes into protecting these places, from firefighters and emergency services to National Park staff, land managers, local businesses and communities. 

A team effort 

Over the course of recent wildfires, fire and rescue services have worked closely alongside National Park teams and other partners, including land managers, police, forestry organisations and local authorities. 

Communities also play an important part. When areas need to close temporarily, local people and businesses can be affected too, and keeping everyone informed helps people make safe decisions while emergency crews do their work. We’ve seen this kind of collaboration happening across the National Parks this summer, helping people respond quickly and safely when conditions become challenging.  

While every wildfire is different across our landscapes, the response is much the same – it relies on people with different skills and knowledge to come together to protect people, nature and places. 

Learning for the future 

With extensive vegetation and open landscapes, many National Parks face an increased risk of wildfires during prolonged periods of hot and dry weather. 
As the climate changes, periods of high wildfire risk are becoming an increasingly important consideration for those caring for our National Parks. 

That means thinking not only about how we respond when a fire starts, but also about what we can do before one happens. 

Across the National Parks, work to manage vegetation, maintain firebreaks, restore habitats, improve preparedness and understand how different landscapes respond to fire is taking place.  

Following a wildfire, recovery can also take time, with teams working to protect damaged habitats and prevent further erosion or degradation. These projects, preparations and efforts take time, resource and skills from a range of partners and experts. The fact that so many people give their time every day to help protect our National Parks shows just how deeply these places are valued by the communities that know, work in and care for them. . 

Looking after National Parks together 

Wildfires bring huge challenges, but they also remind us about something fundamental about our National Parks: they are cared for by people and rely on members of the community to continue to protect and look after them. 

Behind every landscape in the summer are firefighters ready to respond, rangers and land managers working to protect habitats, communities looking out for their neighbours and people making small choices that can help prevent fires from starting. 

Everyone has a role to play, from reporting signs of fire to following local guidance during periods of high wildfire risk. 

This summer has brought real challenges for many National Parks. But it has also highlighted the commitment of people and organisations who work together to protect them. As recovery continues, that same spirit of collaboration will play an important role in helping affected landscapes and habitats recover over time.