This year has been a terrible one for the incidence of large and devastating wildfires around the world. And in the UK, the clear transition to extremely hot and dry spring and summer seasons has finally been regarded with concern by society and government alike. We are now all acutely conscious of the danger of such extreme weather as a causal factor for wildfires, and the media now reports daily on the dangers to homeowners and firefighters, severe damage to infrastructure, property and the so-called natural environment. But is it reasonable that this should appear to come as something of a surprise to many? Enlightened land managers, the Fire and Rescue Service and the scientific community involved in wildfires have seen the inevitability of this ‘new’ phenomenon for a significant period. I must admit to be surprised myself that a presentation I made at a national Wildfire Conference in the North York Moors with colleagues from the Met Office and Forest Research dates back to 2007. I recall that the talk I gave was received politely if not enthusiastically, and not without some doubt being expressed about its conclusions. Nineteen years later, it gives me no pleasure to say that we saw this coming, and I feel personally guilty that I didn’t shout louder at the time. I only hope that government now adequately supports all those who have the responsibility for land management, encouraging effective adaptation to build resilience to wildfire threat, and to the emergency services who will inevitably be involved in increasingly dangerous situations to protect life, property and the environment. And appropriately designed and located woodland should be seen as part of the solution, not the problem!
