Wildfire risks in Britain linked to peatland degradation and climate change

Experts and conservationists are refuting claims that rewilding practices have contributed to recent devastating wildfires in Britain. While some commentators suggested that leaving underbrush and vegetation alone increased fire risks, land managers argue that the affected areas, such as Dunwich Heath, were traditionally managed landscapes rather than rewilded ones.

Analysis suggests that the primary drivers of wildfire intensity are degraded peatlands and climate change. Nearly 80% of England's peatlands are currently dry and degraded, making them highly flammable. Unlike healthy, water-holding ecosystems, these stripped-down uplands can allow flames to burn deep into carbon-rich ground.

Conservationists propose that intentional rewilding and bog restoration—such as blocking drains and reintroducing Sphagnum moss—could actually rebuild nature's fire defenses by keeping the ground wetter and more diverse. Experts warn that as heatwaves become more frequent due to the climate crisis, managing land for resilience is essential to prevent the release of stored carbon and the destruction of wildlife habitats.