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Moor Fire Aftermath: Farmers Demand More Aid
18 Jan
Summary
- MP calls for greater financial aid for wildfire-affected farms.
- Fires destroyed miles of fencing, preventing livestock grazing.
- Government aid for farmers lags behind flood relief.
Farmers affected by a significant wildfire on the North York Moors last year are calling for increased government financial support. Alison Hume, MP for Scarborough and Whitby, stated that farms and businesses hit by such fires should receive aid comparable to that given for flood damage. The wildfire, which ignited on Langdale Moor on August 11, 2025, and was no longer a major incident by September 23, 2025, ravaged large areas of moorland.
The destruction of extensive fencing has prevented farmers from allowing their livestock to graze, leading to significant operational challenges. While the government has offered financial assistance through farming schemes for wildfire risk mitigation, Hume argues it is insufficient for non-recoverable costs estimated at £3.17m. She noted that the compensation available does not parallel flood relief efforts.
During the incident, which at its peak covered 26 square km, many local farmers formed the 'Farmy Army,' working alongside firefighters. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has stated it is increasing funding for fire services and providing a National Resilience Wildfire Advisor to improve coordinated responses to wildfires.
