England has seen the second highest year on record for the number of wildfires in 2026, provisional figures from the Housing Department (MHCLG) show.

Between January and August this year, there were 1,354 wildfires, according to an ad hoc release of data collected on all incidents attended by fire and rescue services for the years 2010 to 2026.

It follows the record of 1,592 for the whole of 2022 – a year which saw major wildfires breaking out across the country during the summer months as temperatures soared to an unprecedent 40C.

Flames

While the 2026 data does not yet cover the whole year, it is unlikely the number will surpass 2022, given the cooler and wetter conditions expected in October to December.

The fires are defined as outdoor fires with more than 1,000 square metres of burned area on land types such as grassland, heathland, scrubland, types of farmland, woodland, domestic gardens, recreational land and parks.

This year saw wildfires spreading across England as prolonged hot and dry conditions across spring and summer left land parched and plunged large swathes of England into drought.

Major incidents included a roadside van fire on the A31 which spread and destroyed ancient trees, rare heathland and wetlands across the New Forest national park in August.

Two blazes in Stourbridge near Dudley destroyed 19 homes as flames spread across more than 500 acres.

Resilience

Wildlife habitats were devastated by a fire at Dunwich Heath along the Suffolk coast, including parts of the RSBP Mismere nature reserve. The conditions prompted Andy Burnham, the British prime minister, to introduce a temporary ban on disposable barbecues in August.

Between 2010 and 2018, the number of wildfires did not exceed 721, according to the figures. But 2018 saw them soar past 1,000 for the first time on record, hitting 1,157.

It means three of the last nine years have seen numbers hitting the 1,000 mark, while 2025 was just shy with 987 recorded incidents.

An MHCLG spokesperson said: “This summer was one of the most challenging wildfire seasons on record, which saw an extraordinary response from firefighters and emergency responders.

“We have to make sure we are prepared for the threat of wildfires – which is why we have invested nearly £100 million to upgrade national resilience assets and we are convening a summit with fire and rescue service partners to inform decision-making and make sure we have the right equipment and resources to be as resilient as possible.”

This Author

Rebecca Speare-Cole is the sustainability reporter for the Press Association.