Heather Beetle Outbreak Raises Wildfire Alarm in North York Moors

As of October 13th, 2025, a major heather beetle infestation has ravaged the North York Moors, presenting a "massive fire risk" to the area, according to a local gamekeeper. The beetles have destroyed huge swathes of the region's iconic purple heather, turning it brown and grey.

Goathland Moor's head gamekeeper, Roger Ayton, says the infestation is the worst he has seen, far exceeding the previous outbreak in 2019. The insects have sapped the shrub of its usual late summer foliage, leaving the heather "withered and dry" and "like kindling that you light your fire with."

Ecologist Elspeth Ingleby of the North York Moors National Park Authority attributes the high beetle numbers to the impact of climate change and unseasonal, prolonged dry weather. She believes a warm, early spring likely brought the beetles out of hibernation much earlier than normal.

Ayton warns the withered, flammable state of the moorland significantly increases the risk of wildfires, like the recent blaze on Langdale Moor. He says the heather will now "run a lot faster and a lot hotter" if ignited. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and preparing for the potential of devastating fires in the coming months.