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UK's First Megafire Scorched Highlands Moorland
21 May
Summary
- The UK's first megafire occurred in the Highlands and Moray last year.
- This fire burned as much land as the UK typically sees in a whole year.
- Greenhouse gases trapped for 1,000 years in peat were released by the fire.
A wildfire that raged for four days across parts of Scotland's Highlands and Moray last year has been identified by researchers as the UK's first megafire. This designation, commonly used in the US for extreme fires, reflects the Dava Moor blaze's significant size, behaviour, and impact.
The research, published in Nature Geoscience, combined fieldwork with satellite data. Scientists from Stanford University, along with UK and Dutch experts, found that unusually dry conditions and flammable vegetation allowed the fire to penetrate deep peat soils. The fire, which started on 28 June, released carbon emissions equivalent to 85% of the average annual UK fire emissions from 2001 to 2021.
This event released ancient greenhouse gases, trapped for 1,000 years, underscoring the vulnerability of peatlands to climate change. The study's lead author emphasized the need for greater attention to peatland preservation and wildfire management in these critical carbon reservoirs. Scottish authorities had previously warned of an escalating wildfire threat and launched a new strategy to improve response coordination.
