Over 29,200 hectares of wild countryside has gone up in flames this year already – despite this week’s rain.
That’s a UK record for the time of year, with the largest area burnt since 2012, according to the Global Wildfire Information System.
Wildfires have been sweeping across all four nations of the UK, with many individual fires the largest of their kind in several years.
Scotland was particularly affected
Scotland faced significant damage to its countryside. Fires at the well-known Glen Nevis tourist spot were recorded and posted online.
Meanwhile, further down the east coast, a fire the size of Edinburgh tore through Galloway National Park.
A sunnier than usual March and April created exceptionally dry conditions. March 2025 is the driest in the UK since 1910, according to the Met Office.
Human activity created further challenges
Human activity contributed to several wildfires with some started by disposable BBQs, inadequate waste disposal and, in some cases, even arson.
Damage has been done to wildlife habitats such as nesting locations of birds, mice and even lizards.
Calls for improved infrastructure and precautionary measures
With hotter, drier weather more common, wildfires are a trend which looks set to continue.
Wetter weather has helped reduce the number of fires over the last week, but the disastrous preceding weeks of fires has only highlighted the UK’s need to ensure adequate infrastructure and precautions are put in place to help prevent, contain and tackle future wildfires.
