MPs call for firefighting planes to combat UK wildfire threat

British lawmakers are calling for big changes to help the UK deal with a growing wildfire problem. A group of Members of Parliament (MPs) says the country needs firefighting planes, public awareness campaigns, and limits on disposable barbecues. They made these demands after the UK went through one of its worst wildfire seasons ever in the summer of 2026. The group warned that wildfires are now part of everyday life in Britain.

The committee's chairman, Alistair Carmichael, said preventing fires from starting is the most important goal. He said Britain needs to learn from countries like Australia, which have strong public education programs about fire safety. 'Britain needs a cultural shift that puts us in step with fire-savvy nations such as Australia,' he said. He called for a national campaign to teach people about the dangers of starting fires outdoors.

The summer of 2026 was the hottest on record in the UK. England and Wales had a major drought, and fire crews responded to 1,132 wildfires in less than a year — more than all of 2025. Fires broke out from Northern Ireland and Scotland to forests and heathlands in England and Wales. One fire in Stourbridge, England, destroyed 19 homes.

On August 14, the government sent an emergency alert to mobile phones across England and Wales. The message warned of a very high wildfire risk across the country. It was one of the clearest signs yet of how serious the situation had become. Many people had never received such a warning before.

The MPs said most wildfires are caused by people, not nature. Littering, leaving campfires burning, using disposable barbecues, and setting fires on purpose are the main causes. The committee said public understanding of wildfire risks remained limited, meaning many people still don't realize how dangerous these activities can be during hot, dry weather. Changing behavior, they said, is just as important as having better firefighting tools.

The report urged the government to place temporary bans on disposable barbecues during high-risk periods. It also said that lighting campfires or discarding cigarettes during dangerous conditions should become socially unacceptable. A government-funded national wildfire prevention campaign was recommended, with simple and clear messages for the public. The MPs also said wildfire risk levels should appear in regular weather forecasts.

Fire and rescue services are under serious strain, especially in rural areas where many firefighters are volunteers. The report called for plans to bring in new aerial firefighting aircraft by January 2027. Right now, the UK has no dedicated firefighting planes, and its few water-dropping military aircraft are based permanently in Cyprus. The MPs said new planes are a 'minimum requirement' for tackling major blazes.

Local communities and land managers also play a huge role in fighting wildfires. They beat out flames, build firebreaks, and rescue animals, often putting themselves at risk. The MPs said the government must recognize these efforts and support the wellbeing of those involved. They also called for paid fire wardens in high-risk areas, since most patrols are currently done by unpaid volunteers.

The government said wildfire preparedness is already a top priority. A spokesperson said a summit was being held with ministers, fire service leaders, and land managers to improve the wildfire response. The government also said it had launched a pilot program with six specialist firefighting teams and made nearly £1.95 billion available for fire and rescue services. Officials said this funding would help keep communities safe.

Carmichael warned that two record-breaking wildfire years in a row should be a wake-up call for the government. He said leaders need to start preparing for the 2027 fire season now, or the country will face the same problems again and again. He added that wildfires leave lasting scars on both the land and the people who live through them. He said the voices of rural communities must no longer be left out of the conversation.