Military drills spark hundreds of wildfires in UK
The Cause of the Fires
According to a BBC report, 385 out of 439 wildfires on MoD property between January 2023 and last month were caused by military maneuvers. A separate Freedom of Information Act request revealed that since 2020, 1,178 wildfires have been linked to present-day MoD training centers, with more than 80% of this year's fires occurring in "Range Danger Zones."
These zones are areas where local fire services are often not permitted to enter, and fires are left to burn out on their own, despite being contained by firebreaks. While the MoD states it has a robust wildfire program and monitors risk levels, locals believe more needs to be done, including a complete ban on live fire training during the driest months.
A local resident near the MoD's Salisbury Plain training site called the wildfires "a perennial problem," citing pollution and health issues for residents. Another local farmer, Tim Daw, said he shouldn't have seen "three or four big fires this year." He added that while he found the smoke only a "mild annoyance," many locals are concerned about the fires' effects on wildlife and the landscape, which can be left looking like a "burnt savannah."
The Danger of Unexploded Ordnance
The dangers of these fires are compounded by unexploded ordnance from previous military training, with some bombs dating back to World War II. A recent moorland fire in North Yorkshire was difficult to fight because of explosive bombs and tank shells.
According to a local landowner, George Winn-Darley, the fire could have been dealt with weeks earlier if the unexploded ordnance had been cleared. "It's ridiculous that here we are, 80 years after the Second World War's end, and we're still dealing with this legacy," he said.
The MoD has a "Respect the Range" campaign to warn the public about the risks of accessing military property, including live fire, unexploded ordnance, and wildfires. A spokesperson for the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) said the organization works with the MoD to understand the danger and location of munitions in order to extinguish fires effectively.
