Forestry Commission restricts access to 250,000 acres of UK woodland

Following a summer of record wildfires, the Forestry Commission has banned public access to more than 250,000 acres of woodland in England to mitigate the risk of ignition. Baroness Young of Old Scone, chair of the Forestry Commission, stated that restrictions were necessary because warning signs alone were insufficient to prevent accidental fires. Affected areas include parts of the New Forest, Wykeham Forest in North Yorkshire, Colliers’ Wood near Manchester, and Shouldham in Norfolk.

Experts warn that the increasing frequency of wildfires poses a severe threat to peatlands. While peatland restoration is a key strategy for climate resilience, reduced management of these areas may inadvertently increase wildfire risk. Severe fires in peatlands can alter soil chemistry, destroy seed banks, and release significant amounts of stored carbon. Recent research suggests peatland wildfires have accounted for up to 90% of annual fire-driven carbon emissions in certain contexts.

To combat future threats, the Forestry Commission is considering the creation of permanent firebreaks alongside roads and has called for increased investment in firefighting equipment and water supplies.