A summer 2026 surge in UK wildfires has burned hundreds of hectares; West Midlands fires alone destroyed 19 homes and injured 54 people.
Where it stands
Military personnel are helping tackle Welsh wildfires, while Stourbridge residents return home and a temporary disposable-barbecue sales ban remains in force.
Homes destroyed in West Midlands fires
19homes
19 readings
Area affected by Dunwich Heath wildfire
150.14hectares
4 readings
Area affected by New Forest wildfire
~230football pitches
3 readings
Area damaged by Cairngorms wildfire
10square miles
3 readings
People injured in West Midlands fires
10
3 readings
Area affected by Shepperton wildfire
1.50hectares
2 readings
Hectares affected by Tintwistle Moor wildfire
600hectares
2 readings
Wildfires attended by Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service in 2026
≥250fires
2 readings
Area affected by Suffolk field fire
200acres
Area affected by Wearside fire
10football pitches
Area affected by Worcestershire nature reserve fire
~1,200square metres
Area destroyed by Sheffield park fire
~8hectares
Deaths in Batley fire
2
Deaths in Horsham house fire
1
Hectares damaged by New Forest fire
~5hectares
Homes evacuated in north Wales wildfire
36homes
People displaced by Manchester fire
20
UK wildfires detected by NASA satellites in 2026
~600fires
Wildfires tackled by Cornwall fire crews in 2026
≥170fires
Sub-stories
–Pulse
No coverage in this range.
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Dated by when the figure applies, not when it was reported. Larger dots are more sources reporting the same number.
Following:
showing all 53 events
August 2026
Wed, Aug 26
Aug 26West Midlands fire service found Stourbridge fires started accidentally
Mon, Aug 24
Aug 24 Firefighters tackled a large fire near Nottingham industrial estate
Fri, Aug 21
Aug 21Woman denied arson charges over Dovestone moorland fire
Aug 21West Midlands fire chief thanked crews and communities
Aug 21Firefighters were due to remain at Holme Fen until mid-September
Wed, Aug 19
Aug 19Grass fire destroyed businesses at an industrial estate
Aug 19Wildfire repairs delayed the A31's reopening until the weekend
Sun, Aug 16
Aug 16The UK deployed Gurkha soldiers to tackle Welsh wildfires
Aug 16Stourbridge residents began returning to their homes
Sat, Aug 15
Aug 15 Firefighters tackled a warehouse blaze in Harwich
Aug 15Prince William thanked emergency services for battling wildfires
Aug 15UK authorities issued public advice to prevent wildfires
Fri, Aug 14
Aug 14 Wildfire alert sparked panic and increased emergency calls
Aug 14 UK government sent wildfire alert across England and Wales
Aug 14UK prime minister visited fire-damaged Stourbridge
Aug 14Police made arrests on suspicion of arson in Stoke-on-Trent
Aug 14The UK prime minister called in military wildfire support
Aug 14UK government temporarily banned sales of disposable barbecues
Thu, Aug 13
Aug 13 A Northenden fire gutted a semi-detached house
Aug 13Central England fires destroyed homes and injured people
Aug 13Four firefighters were injured tackling Leicestershire wildfires
Aug 13Stourbridge grass fire spread into neighbouring homes
Aug 13Multiple West Midlands fires broke out, forcing evacuations
Wed, Aug 12
Aug 12Firefighters continued battling wildfires across England and Wales
Aug 12England and Wales matched 2025's full-year wildfire total
Tue, Aug 11
Aug 11 Exeter grass fire forced residents from their homes
Aug 11Firefighters continued tackling the Holme Fen wildfire
Aug 11Firefighters brought the New Forest wildfire under control
Mon, Aug 10
Aug 10Fire service expanded the New Forest wildfire response
Sun, Aug 9
Aug 9 Nottinghamshire fire service declared a major incident
Aug 9Van fire spread into New Forest heathland
Aug 9Firefighters extinguished a New Forest woodland blaze
Sat, Aug 8
Aug 8 Woodland fire broke out in Nottinghamshire
Aug 8Holidaymakers were urged to visit Suffolk despite wildfire damage
Mon, Aug 3
Aug 3South Wales fire service declared a major incident
Sat, Aug 1
Aug 1Ashill villagers described recovery from the 2022 wildfire
Aug 1Firefighters scaled back the Dunwich Heath wildfire response
Aug 1Essex fire service urged against fireworks, bonfires and barbecues
July 2026
Fri, Jul 31
Jul 31The National Trust launched Dunwich Heath restoration appeal
Jul 31Fire crews said Dunwich Heath wildfire was stabilising
Thu, Jul 30
Jul 30Sizewell B nuclear plant went on high alert
Wed, Jul 29
Jul 29 A Dunwich Heath holiday park was evacuated
Jul 29 Wildfire broke out and spread across Dunwich Heath
Jul 29Cairngorms wildfire damage reached about 10 square miles
Sun, Jul 26
Jul 26Controlled burn spread and destroyed North Yorkshire barns
Fri, Jul 24
Jul 24 Firefighters tackled bonfire spreading into Wiltshire fields
Jul 24Fertiliser explosion triggered an Essex industrial fire
Jul 24Helicopter joined Isle of Wight heathland firefighting effort
Thu, Jul 23
Jul 23 Heathland fire broke out on the Isle of Wight
Wed, Jul 15
Jul 15Residents and tourists evacuated from Scottish Highlands wildfire
Mon, Jul 13
Jul 13Tintwistle Moor wildfire was declared a major incident
Sat, Jul 11
Jul 11Wildfire broke out on Greater Manchester moorland
June 2026
Wed, Jun 24
Jun 24 Firefighters were called to a Derbyshire moorland wildfire