Brief
England records second‑highest number of wildfires in 2026
MHCLG data shows 1,354 incidents, with major blazes in the New Forest and Dudley.
By Felo News Desk · Published
England logged 1,354 wildfires between January and August 2026, the second‑largest annual total on record, according to provisional figures released by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) on Thursday.
What happened
The fires, defined as outdoor blazes burning over 1,000 square metres, spanned grassland, heathland, woodland and parks. Notable incidents included a van fire on the A31 that damaged ancient trees in the New Forest, two blazes near Dudley that destroyed 19 homes across more than 500 acres, and a blaze at Dunwich Heath on the Suffolk coast that harmed wildlife habitats.
What the reports add
The MHCLG release notes that the 2026 figure trails the 2022 record of 1,592 incidents, which followed a summer of 40 °C temperatures. Between 2010 and 2018, annual wildfires never exceeded 721, but 2018 saw a jump to 1,157, the first year over 1,000. The data also shows 2025 fell just short of the 1,000 mark with 987 incidents.
What was said
“This summer was one of the most challenging wildfire seasons on record, which saw an extraordinary response from firefighters and emergency responders,” an MHCLG spokesperson told the Independent.
How it came about
Extended hot and dry weather across spring and summer left large parts of the countryside parched, pushing the nation into drought conditions and fueling the surge in wildfires. Prime Minister Andy Burnham responded by imposing a temporary ban on disposable barbecues in August.
Key facts
- England recorded 1,354 wildfires between January and August 2026. (independent.co.uk)
- The 2026 total is second only to the 2022 record of 1,592 incidents. (independent.co.uk)
- Major incidents included fires in the New Forest, Dudley and Dunwich Heath. (independent.co.uk)
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham introduced a temporary ban on disposable barbecues in August. (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “England wildfires soar to second-highest on record after extreme weather”
