Wildfires: strategic action plan

Executive Summary

Scotland experienced its most severe wildfire season in recent memory in 2025. With 241 recorded wildfires, including the UK’s largest recorded wildfire at Carrbridge and Dava Moor that burned nearly 10,000 hectares, the year marked a significant escalation in wildfire frequency, intensity and impact. Climate change is increasing temperatures, extending dry spells and creating conditions in which wildfires can ignite and spread more easily, particularly in Scotland’s peatlands, woodlands and rural landscapes.

The potential consequences of wildfires are profound: threats to public safety, major demands on the emergency services, disruption to rural communities and businesses, and long‑lasting environmental damage. Wildfires also release substantial carbon emissions, undermining Scotland’s climate mitigation efforts.

This Strategic Action Plan sets out a coordinated approach to preventing, preparing for and responding to wildfires. Developed in partnership with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and with input from His Majesty’s Fire Service Inspectorate and a wide range of stakeholders, the plan incorporates lessons learned from recent wildfires, multi‑agency debriefs, stakeholder engagement events and parliamentary discussions.

The plan is structured around three core pillars:

1. Prevention

Preventing wildfires is the most effective way to protect people, nature and property. Key actions include:

• Strengthening public awareness of wildfire risks and responsible outdoor behaviour and access;
• Enhancing the robustness and effectiveness of wildfire danger assessments and early warning systems through improved data, research and scientific evidence;
• Implementing new fire prevention byelaws, including those coming into force in the Cairngorms National Park in April 2026, and enabling the potential future use of similar measures by local authorities;
• Promoting land management practices — such the use of firebreaks and regulated muirburn — that reduce fuel loads and help prevent the spread of wildfire; and
• Actively encouraging landholdings of all sizes to consider wildfire mitigation. New community engagement obligations introduced by the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2025 will improve transparency around land management practices, including in relation to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

2. Preparedness

Preparedness is essential for rapid, effective and safe wildfire response. Key actions include:

• Investment by SFRS in new wildfire units, vehicles, equipment and specialist capabilities;
• Strengthening multi‑agency training and exercising, including national table‑top exercises;
• Enhancing the Community Asset Register and reviewing insurance arrangements for land managers and volunteers;
• Reviewing helicopter access protocols and identifying opportunities to strengthen aerial support during peak wildfire risk periods.

3. Response

Effective response relies on coordinated decision‑making, clear command and control structures and strong multi‑agency cooperation. Actions include:

• Developing a multi‑agency ‘Concept of Operations’ (CONOPS) ahead of the 2026 wildfire season;
• Enhancing local and regional Incident Response Plans to protect responders, communities and the natural environment; and
• Exploring a mountain rescue‑style approach to trained wildfire volunteers, with a potential trial in Cairngorms National Park.

The Action Plan also sets out the Scottish Multi-Agency Resilience, Training and Exercising Unit (SMARTEU) debrief summary of recommendations, observations, notable practices and sponsor comments arising from last year’s Dava Moor wildfires (see Annex A). The SFRS welcomes and accepts these findings and is progressing the resulting actions through a comprehensive programme of work, which has directly informed this Action Plan.

In summary, the Strategic Action Plan aims to strengthen Scotland’s resilience and response to wildfires in 2026 and beyond. It emphasises the importance of partnership working, prevention-driven policy, evidence-based decision‑making and robust operational capability. It concludes that everyone has a role to play in reducing the likelihood of wildfires and supporting a safer, more climate resilient Scotland.