Burn the heather

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, September 1, 2026

A ban on traditional controlled heather burning in the English uplands, implemented in 2025 to protect carbon-rich peatlands, has coincided with a sharp increase in wildfires affecting over 50,000 acres. This rise in fire incidents has sparked debate over balancing ecological preservation with practical land management, prompting calls to reevaluate current policies to better prevent future wildfires.

The traditional practice of controlled heather burning in the English uplands, historically used to prepare land for game bird breeding and reduce wildfire risks, has come under scrutiny following a ban implemented in 2025. This management technique, carried out by land managers over centuries, involves the removal and burning of dry heather foliage during cooler months. Apart from reducing fuel for potential fires, controlled burning promotes new vegetation growth that supports grazing sheep and young grouse.

The 2025 ban was introduced with the intention of decreasing smoke emissions from carbon-rich peatlands, which are sensitive carbon stores. However, since the prohibition, upland areas have experienced a significant surge in wildfires. Authorities have recorded more than 1,100 wildfires affecting approximately 50,000 acres, marking one of the most severe fire seasons in recent memory.

Critics of the ban argue that the policy disregards the knowledge and experience of local land managers who have historically maintained these landscapes through controlled burning. Some contend that the ban, enacted by an urban-based government, fails to account for the practical realities of upland land management and may have inadvertently increased wildfire risk by allowing dry vegetation to accumulate unchecked.

Proponents of the ban emphasize the importance of protecting peatlands due to their role in carbon storage and broader climate change mitigation efforts. They argue that reducing smoke emissions and preserving these ecosystems outweigh the benefits of traditional burning practices, calling for alternative land management strategies that balance environmental concerns with wildfire prevention.

The debate highlights the challenges in managing upland environments where ecological preservation intersects with traditional land use and fire risk mitigation. As wildfires continue to impact large areas, policymakers and stakeholders face pressure to reconsider current approaches to upland land management and strive for solutions that effectively address both conservation and safety priorities.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.