Home / Environment / UK Military to Fight Wildfires from the Sky
UK Military to Fight Wildfires from the Sky
23 Oct
Summary
- Military aircraft will be equipped to combat wildfires.
- New gear for firefighters aims for extended outdoor operations.
- £25 million to restore peatlands as natural firebreaks.
Following a summer of intense heatwaves and widespread wildfires, the UK government is introducing new measures to combat future blazes. Military aircraft, including RAF A400M planes and Chinook helicopters, will be adapted for fire suppression, creating the nation's first permanent aerial firefighting capacity. This will aid emergency crews in difficult-to-access areas.
An investment of up to £45 million will provide frontline firefighters with specialized, breathable gear for prolonged outdoor operations. Additionally, £25 million is allocated to restore dried-out peatlands, serving as natural firebreaks. Preventative actions also include financial aid for farmers to clear flammable materials and construct ponds in high-risk zones.
The government is reviewing stricter regulations to curb accidental ignitions during high-threat periods. This comes after a year where emergency services in England and Wales attended over 1,132 wildfires by mid-August, exceeding the entire total for 2025. Severe blazes led to an emergency phone alert warning the public of a very high national wildfire risk on August 14th.
