Wildfire risk is an increasingly significant challenge facing communities around the globe across multiple continents. In the last year, devastating wildfires have affected regions in the UK and Europe, South America, North America and across parts of South-East Asia causing widespread impacts on people, property, infrastructure and the environment.
Governments around the world are increasingly recognising wildfire as a major public safety and resilience issue. A recent report, Spreading like Wildfire: The Rising Threat of Extraordinary Landscape Fires, by the United Nations Environment Programme and GRID-Arendal (a non-profit environmental organisation), finds that climate change and land-use change are making wildfires worse and anticipates a global increase of extreme fires even in areas previously unaffected.
As climate conditions change, land management pressures evolve and development expands into higher-risk areas, the need for coordinated action, informed policy and professional collaboration has never been greater. Governments and emergency services around the world are increasingly recognising wildfire as a significant resilience and public safety risk.
Dealing with UK risk through global resilience
Recognising this growing problem of wildfires in the UK, Paul Adams, CEO of the IFE has written to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to offer expertise drawing from our international members; fire professionals, engineers, academics, and practitioners whose knowledge is at the forefront of the fire sector. Our current engagement with MHCLG also reflects this commitment to the safety of communities worldwide. The value of sharing lessons learned operational experience, research, and professional standards between countries facing different wildfire conditions cannot be overestimated.
One of the key challenges particularly for the UK is the growing "wildland-urban interface" where homes, businesses and infrastructure are located close to woodlands and open countryside. This increases the potential for wildfires to threaten communities, property, and critical infrastructure due to the availability of fuel. Combined with the UK's dense population and built environment, it can increase the likelihood of more tragic incidents.
The strategic importance of this issue is reflected in the Government's National Risk Register. This has identified wildfire as a significant national resilience risk as wildfire events become more frequent and consequential. There is a clear need for coordinated action, informed policy, and the sharing of professional expertise to strengthen national preparedness and resilience.
The IFE would welcome the opportunity to work with MHCLG and other professionals to help deliver practical advice, guidance, and support to:
- Homeowners seeking to improve the resilience of their properties and surroundings.
- Farmers managing agricultural land and associated fire risks.
- Landowners and land managers responsible for areas of woodland, heathland, moorland, scrubland, and grassland.
- Local authorities responsible for planning, resilience, and community safety.
- Developers and housing providers seeking to design and build wildfire-resilient communities.
- Fire and rescue services preparing for increasingly demanding wildfire incidents.
The IFE is committed to supporting wildfire resilience globally and aiding the development of a long-term strategy that protects communities, strengthens resilience, and reduces the impact of wildfire on people, property, agriculture, and the environment. Challenges presented by wildfire risk can only be addressed through collaboration, leadership, and sustained investment.
Alongside this work, the IFE CPD Hub is available to members which contains the latest information and resources regarding wildfires. It is our way of ensuring members are fully informed and empowered in their professional development, making continuous learning easier and more accessible to support their careers. Visit the CPD Hub to discover more.