Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, is facing growing calls to reconsider current government policies on wildfire prevention, particularly those relating to vegetation management on moorlands in northern England. The issue has gained renewed attention following a series of wildfires this summer, including one in Stourbridge, West Midlands, which destroyed 19 homes.
Critics argue that current restrictions imposed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), especially those limiting winter burning and reducing livestock grazing in upland areas, have contributed to an accumulation of highly flammable vegetation. According to calculations by the Moorland Association, these policies have led to a 25% increase in combustible grass and a 74% rise in dead heather, both of which pose significant wildfire risks during hotter summers.
The National Fire Chiefs Council has previously warned that Defra’s regulations could endanger both emergency responders and residents. Data show that the area of land affected by wildfires in the UK has grown sixfold over the past decade, rising from approximately 24,800 hectares in 2006-2015 to nearly 152,000 hectares between 2016 and 2025. Some scientists argue that ongoing climate change and the predicted intensification of phenomena like the Super El Niño could further exacerbate fire risks.
Research conducted by York University and Exeter University suggests that controlled winter burns may not harm peat soils as feared but can instead improve soil moisture retention and reduce wildfire impacts. These findings challenge Defra’s longstanding position that burning damages peatland habitats. However, Defra defenders emphasize the need to protect sensitive peat soils and maintain conservation objectives, while critics contend that the department has disregarded evidence supporting controlled burning.
Additionally, some conservation groups, including the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), advocate for rewilding practices and oppose game shooting on moorlands. These differing perspectives have created tensions between rural communities, gamekeepers, conservationists, and government agencies over land management priorities. Proponents of managed burning and regulated shooting argue these activities support biodiversity and local economies, pointing to recent increases in upland bird populations such as black grouse and curlew in managed areas.
Burnham, who has been criticized for announcing the use of the national emergency alert system in response to wildfire threats, now faces pressure to clarify his stance before the upland burning season commences on October 1. Stakeholders emphasize that decisions made in the coming weeks will influence the region’s wildfire preparedness for the coming year.
Defra Secretary Angela Eagle has maintained that rewilding can help reduce wildfire incidents but has not cited scientific studies to support this claim, according to some observers. Meanwhile, proposals to expand renewable energy infrastructure, including large-scale wind turbine projects across northern moorlands, add complexity to the regional debate over environmental management and economic development.
As the conversation continues, the challenge for policymakers lies in balancing wildfire risk mitigation, environmental conservation, rural livelihoods, and community safety amid evolving climate conditions and stakeholder interests.