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Wildfires Devastate England and Wales in Record-Breaking Year
30 Aug
Summary
- Wildfires in England and Wales reach record levels in 2025
- Rare wildlife habitats destroyed, putting species at risk
- Arson and climate change identified as key drivers of the crisis
As of August 30th, 2025, England and Wales are experiencing a record-breaking year for wildfires, with fire services already responding to 992 incidents across the regions. The crisis has put a severe strain on emergency crews, while also destroying important habitats that rare wildlife rely on.
The situation has been exacerbated by the UK's driest spring in 70 years and an expected record-breaking heatwave this summer, leaving the country parched and highly flammable. Experts attribute the rise in wildfires to a combination of arson and the impacts of climate change, which have created the "perfect conditions" for the blazes to ignite and spread rapidly.
In Dorset, one of the worst-hit areas, a single fire in August burned across 177 acres of the Holt Heath, a crucial heathland home to species like nightjars, Dartford Warblers, and sand lizards. The Dorset Wildlife Trust's CEO, Brian Bleese, has called for a ban on disposable barbecues and other measures to reduce the risk of such devastating fires.
With the summer of 2025 set to be the hottest on record, the threat of wildfires is only expected to grow, posing a significant risk to both the environment and local communities. Firefighters have been working tirelessly to protect lives, homes, and natural habitats, but experts warn that urgent action is needed to address the underlying causes of this crisis.
