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According to the latest figures, the UK may be on track to see its worst year for wildfires.
Satellite data shows that 2025 is already on record for the second worst year according to the burned area and number of fires.
It also reveals that there have been more flames in the country over the past week compared to other parts of Europe experiencing similar weather conditions.
From Monday there were 115 flames and an area of more than 95 square miles (24.890 hectares) – almost the size of Edinburgh – has been scorched since January 1, according to figures from the European Forest Fire Information System.
Only 2019 was worse for the burned area (28,754 hectares) and 2022 for the number of fires (151).
The data shows that the UK has seen more fires from January to April, compared to the same period in 2024, and is higher than expected for the time of year.
The Met Office said the fires are due to dry and breezing conditions in the spring that came to a damp winter, which means there was ‘fuel’ for the flames due to plant growth.
Further dry conditions can make the worst year for wildfires 2025, it says.
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Game fires burn through the nature reserve
The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) said fire and rescue services in England and Wales have responded to 411 wildfires so far this year – more than double the number for the same period in 2022 (189).
The NFCC said responding to wildfires “needs a lot of resources” that puts more pressure on other service activities.
“These figures are painting a resort about the growing incident rate of wildfires in the United Kingdom,” a spokesman said.
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Earlier this month, A ‘serious’ rating for wildfires has been issued For parts of the UK – and some fire services, residents said not to have braai in open spaces due to the dry and hot conditions.
Several hectares of Bushveld in the Moors Valley Country Park on the Dorset Hampshire border were destroyed by wildfires.
A large Blaze in Galloway was one of a number that also broke out in Scotland within a few days.
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