The Wales Wildfire Board are encouraging you to be #wildfirewise this spring and summer.
As the seasons shift and warmer weather begins to arrive, it’s the perfect opportunity to make the most of the outdoors. Whether that means planning a staycation, heading off on a family camping trip, or simply exploring the beauty of Mid and West Wales countryside.
Spring and Summer come with an increased risk of wildfires. The Wales Wildfire Board are urging everyone to be #WildfireWise by following our simple, practical safety advice. A small amount of extra care can make a huge difference, helping to protect our stunning countryside and keeping communities safe from the devastating impact of wildfire.
In 2025, fire services across Wales attended 3,474 grass fire incidents - a 275% increase on the previous year.
Most concerning of all: Deliberate grass fires rose to 2,357 incidents, an increase of 1,694 fires (up 256%). This represents the highest number of grass fires since 2018, highlighting a deeply worrying trend that puts people, property, wildlife, and vital community resources at risk.
At this time of year, grass and mountainsides can dry out quickly. Even a small spark - accidental or deliberate - can escalate into a fast‑moving fire capable of destroying habitats, landscapes, and homes within minutes.
The Wales Wildfire Board want to work with communities to build a healthier and more resilient countryside and to develop a more biodiverse countryside for the future.
Our #WildfireWise campaign aims to educate individuals on the best practices for avoiding and preventing wildfires in Wales. By raising awareness about the potential dangers of wildfires, the campaign will encourage people to be more vigilant when out enjoying the countryside and proactive in reporting suspicious activities that can lead to fires.
Many wildfires are preventable and there are some simple steps and changes to behaviour that can limit their number and impact.
About the Wales Wildfire Board
The Wales Wildfire Board is a multi-agency approach to better understand and manage the risk of wildfire on the environment and the communities of Wales.
It’s aims and objectives, delivered through a Wales Wildfire Charter, build on the knowledge and experience gained over the last decade whilst paying cognisance to the ever-present danger of climate change and the value of encouraging communities and individuals to work together to protect the areas where we live, work and visit.
The Board aim to engage with various audiences, working together to support wildfire management, listening, and sharing practical solutions for Wales. Through this collaborative approach, agencies on the Wales Wildfire Board hope to provide a better understanding of what can be done to limit the number of wildfire fires, in turn, minimising the damage they can cause to our environment.
Working together to protect our countryside and our country
The Wales Wildfire Board's approach to managing the risk of wildfire will include three key themes, each designed to ensure we can focus on the areas which not only require the most attention but will also have the biggest influence in improving our understanding of wildfires and how the Board can positively manage their impact:
- Partnerships - Through an evolving partnership approach, we will bring together Welsh Government, Emergency Services, Public and Private Organisations, Landowners and Land Users to manage and develop our landscape.
- Environmental and Community Resilience - We will contribute to the management of our landscape to protect wildlife, forestry, and livelihoods; improve well-being, health, and amenities, facilitate sustainable food production, and create a sense of place and community ownership.
- Prevention and Protection - We will implement a diverse range of management techniques to reduce the impact of wildfire on our communities and the landscape in Wales.
Wildfire Wise Campaign Resources
Despite our past success, wildfires across Wales continue to provide a clear and present danger to our environment, our economy, and our communities and over the last four years, we have seen the early signs of plateauing in incident numbers, indicating perhaps a new approach is needed to safeguard our communities.
By drawing together a multi-agency approach to Wildfire awareness, the Wales Wildfire Board aims to engage with various audiences, working together to support wildfire management, listening, and sharing practical solutions for Wales.
As such, we have developed this page for all partners, contributors and stakeholders to the #WildfireWise campaign to easily access all available materials:
- All Press Releases (English and Welsh versions) issued in support of the campaign.
- Pre-written and pre-translated social media messages.
- Images for Facebook, X, Instagram, which you can download to accompany the pre-written social media messages – or indeed any additional agency specific messages you would like to post in support of the campaign.
- All photographs, videos and incident footage which may also be used to support the campaign.
- Any briefing material which is developed to assist us in getting our messages across to our own staff on the frontline.
If you do have any questions around the communications approach to the Wildfire Wise campaign – or indeed, if you’d like to discuss any additional material which you feel would benefit the campaign, then please do not hesitate to contact us.
Thank you,
MAWWFRS Press Office
pressofficer@mawwfire.gov.uk
Approved Documents
The documents below have been approved for publication.
Social Media Messages
Download all approved Social Media messages
Social Media Images
Download Social Media Suite
#WildfireWise: Wales Wildfire Board All Wales Multi Agency Communications Plan
Summer Safety / Protecting our countryside and our country
Promotional material used in the #WildfireWise campaign.
Social Media Messages
Download all approved Social Media messages
Social Media Images
Download Social Media Suite
Deliberate Firesetting is a Crime / Responsible Burning
Promotional material used in the #WildfireWise campaign.
Social Media Messages
Download all approved Social Media messages
Social Media Images
Download Social Media Suite
Fire Service Specific Messages
Promotional material used in the #WildfireWise campaign.
Social Media Messages
Download all approved Social Media messages
Social Media Images
Download Social Media Suite
Public Health Specific Messages
Promotional material used in the #WildfireWise campaign.
Social Media Messages
Download all approved Social Media messages
Social Media Images
Download Social Media Suite
In attendance at Incident Messages
Promotional material used in the #WildfireWise campaign.
Social Media Messages
Download all approved Social Media messages
Social Media Images
Download Social Media Suite
Thank You Messages
Promotional material used in the #WildfireWise campaign.
Social Media Messages
Download all approved Social Media messages
Social Media Images
Download Social Media Suite
Remember
If are out enjoying the countryside and you do come across any suspicious activity, please call CrimeStoppers (opens in a new window/tab) anonymously on 0800 555 111, or ring 101. In an emergency, always call 999.
Healthy Hillsides
Don’t Forget
Heather and grass burning with a Burn Plan ended on 15th March (31st March in upland areas).
The Heather and Grass Burning Code.
The Wales Wildfire Board is continuing its work with farmers and landowners across Wales, and together we can try to reverse the loss of Biodiversity in Wales. We understand the benefits and the role that controlled fires have on our landscape, in promoting biological diversity and creating healthier ecosystems.
Farmers and Landowners can continue to burn heather, grass, bracken, and gorse up until the 15 March (up to 31 March in Upland areas), however, they must have a Burn Plan in place to ensure they are burning safely. It is illegal to burn between sunset and sunrise and there must always be sufficient people and equipment on hand to control the burn. Breaking these rules can result in penalties of up to £1000. We want to work with our local landowners to ensure that this doesn’t happen. You can contact us for free advice on safe burning and we have more information on Farm Safety here.
You can find out more about The Heather and Grass Burning Code – and download a Burning Management Plan from the Welsh Government website (opens in a new window/tab).
If you see a fire which looks like it might be out of control or being burnt illegally, then please call CrimeStoppers (opens in a new window/tab) anonymously on 0800 555 111, or ring 101. In an emergency, always call 999.
Remember Fire setting is a crime.
While accidents can happen, there are others within our communities who are deliberately setting fire to our countryside. Deliberate fire setting is a crime and the Task Force is appealing for information on anyone deliberately setting fires to call 101, or to report anonymously to CrimeStoppers (opens in a new window/tab) on 0800 555 111. Anonymous means that no mobile number, address, or location of calls are tracked. Those caught will be prosecuted.
This work is supported by our Arson Reduction team, a problem-solving team, dedicated to reducing and eliminating deliberate fire-setting. The team consists of a seconded Police Officer, a Fire Officer and three specialist arson advisors who ensure that all incidents are investigated and analysed to make our communities safer. The team works closely with its partners to target problematic areas and to consistently develop ways of reducing arson and to identify who or what may be affected.