05/08/2026
🔥Wildfires are becoming more common across the UK and with hot, dry conditions and coastal winds the risk of fire at Landguard is greater.
🔥The vast majority – around 85–90%, start because of human actions. BBQs, bonfires, discarded ci******es, hot ash, and even glass left in vegetation can all ignite dry ground. Naturally occurring wildfires in the UK are extremely rare.
🔥Long spells of heat and drought dry out vegetation and make it far easier for fires to start and spread. Extreme weather doesn’t always spark a fire, but it creates the perfect conditions for one to take hold quickly.
🕊️Wildfires have serious impacts on birds. Although some birds can escape the flames, many cannot. Fires can destroy nests, eggs and chicks, remove vital food sources, strip away shelter, and create smoke that affects birds’ breathing and navigation. The effects can last long after the fire is out.
Other wildlife is also at risk. Reptiles, invertebrates and small mammals are especially vulnerable because they cannot escape quickly.
🦎 Reptiles often shelter in vegetation or burrows and can be killed by fast moving flames or intense heat.
🐛 Invertebrates – the foundation of many food webs, are easily wiped out, reducing food availability for birds, bats and small mammals.
🐁 Small mammals such as voles, shrews and mice can be trapped in dense vegetation or underground nests, and fires can destroy the cover they rely on for survival. The loss of these species has knock on effects across the entire ecosystem.
Modern wildfires burn far hotter and deeper than natural low intensity fires. They can kill wildlife, scorch soils, and destroy root systems and seed banks, leaving habitats struggling to recover.
Sites like Landguard face higher wildfire risk simply because they’re open to the public. Most fires begin with human behaviour.
🔥Why Small Actions Matter 🔥
As you enjoy the outdoors, please take a moment to think about the impact of every choice. A single cigarette butt, a smoldering BBQ, sparks from a fire, or glass thrown into vegetation can turn into an emergency in seconds.
🚫 No BBQs (including disposable)
🚫 No bonfires
🚫 No gas stoves
🚫 No littering (including ci******es)
Some risks simply aren’t worth taking.
A wildfire at Landguard wouldn’t just devastate wildlife and their fragile habitats – it could also threaten nearby homes, disrupt lives, and impact local livelihoods and businesses.
