High Peak constituency named UK's most wildfire‑prone area

A new risk map produced by the Moorland Association identifies the High Peak constituency in Derbyshire as the most vulnerable to wildfires in the United Kingdom. The assessment, based on ten indicators across vulnerability, exposure and hazardous materials, ranks Calder Valley in West Yorkshire second and the Tiverton‑Minehead constituency third.

The map was released as the Environment Agency declared half of England to be in drought, and Water Minister Emma Hardy warned of a “new normal” of low rivers, hose‑pipe bans and increasing fire danger. A major incident was declared at Tintwistle Moor near Glossop on July 13 after fires began on June 24.

Andrew Gilruth, CEO of the Moorland Association, blamed re‑wilding programmes for creating highly flammable vegetation and urged new Prime Minister Andy Burnham to allow farmers and gamekeepers to manage upland vegetation. The report also notes that Spain has declared a national emergency over merging wildfires and that homes were evacuated in France.