Following Prime Minister Andy Burnham announcement that fire services can call on military support to tackle wildfires and land management measures to stop fires from spreading, the NFU is urging the government to develop a National Wildfire Strategy.
It points out that farmers and land managers often act as first responders, using local knowledge and equipment, and that rural emergency services are often constrained by poor access and limited water supplies.
NFU vice-president Robyn Munt said: “The NFU is also calling on government to develop a National Wildfire Strategy which sets out clear guidelines for wildfire prevention, preparedness, and response and should apply to all relevant bodies including Fire and Rescue Services, local authorities, Natural England, Forestry Commission and Highways England.
“This plan must also recognise the vital role farmers play in assisting emergency services when action is needed to resolve wildfires.”
The NFU wants to see:
- A National Wildfire Strategy for England and Wales: Develop a cross-government National Wildfire Strategy covering prevention, preparedness, response, recovery, data collection and multi-agency coordination, with farmers and land managers recognised as key partners
- Government policy that supports active vegetation management, including grazing, prescribed burning, vegetation cutting and infrastructure maintenance, to reduce fuel loads and improve wildfire resilience
- Establish a national wildfire information system modelled on EFFIS, with consistent reporting, satellite integration and a dedicated fuel layer to improve risk assessment, preparedness and response
- Greater support for emergency responders through specialist training, dedicated resources, improved coordination with land managers and clear local wildfire planning in high-risk areas
- Targeted public awareness campaigns and use of behaviour-change measures and enforcement tools
- Increased measures to combat arson on farms, especially multi-agency coordination, enhanced resourcing and community engagement
