As wildfires rise across Britain’s uplands, experts suggest that planned rewilding can play a vital role in reducing fire severity by restoring natural conditions that hold more water and break up continuous fuel sources.
- Restored peatlands retain water, reducing fire intensity
- Re-meandering rivers and wetlands act as natural firebreaks
- Grazing animals create patchiness that limits fire spread
What happened
Wildfires in Britain have become more frequent and damaging, with most starting from human activity. The damage these fires cause largely depends on the landscapes they burn through. Peatlands and upland moors, long altered by drainage, grazing, and burning, are now drier and more fire-prone than in the past. Studies show that about 80% of England’s peatlands are dry and degraded, with just 1% dominated by water-retaining plants like Sphagnum moss. These conditions make peat soils vulnerable to burning, intensifying wildfire impacts.
This understanding has inspired experts to reconsider wildfire policies, moving beyond just stopping fire ignitions to focus on reconstructing landscapes so they naturally resist fires. Rewilding efforts, which often involve ceasing intensive land management, do increase vegetation but when carefully planned, can restore natural, functioning ecosystems that hold more moisture and interrupt continuous fuel layers—making the land less prone to severe fires.
Why it feels good
Rewilding offers a hopeful solution by reconnecting nature’s processes and allowing ecosystems to reorganize into climate-resilient states. Restoring peatlands by blocking drainage and promoting Sphagnum moss helps keep water in the soil, greatly reducing the chance of carbon-rich peat catching fire. Evidence from Scotland’s 2019 wildfire shows that restored, wetter peatlands suffered much less damage compared to degraded areas.
Beyond peatlands, rewilding headwaters and floodplains can create wet corridors that act as natural firebreaks. The presence of wetlands and ponds not only slows fire spread but provides valuable water sources to help firefighting efforts. Additionally, introducing or supporting diverse grazing animals like cattle, deer, and bison adds vegetation patchiness—disrupting continuous fuel and further limiting fire spread. This layered approach reconnects ecosystems for greater long-term resilience, potentially transforming fire-prone uplands into lively, protected landscapes.
What to enjoy or watch next
Look out for local rewilding projects focused on peatland restoration, wetland creation, and natural grazing initiatives as they gain momentum across Britain. Organizations involved often share progress updates and invite community participation, offering a chance to witness nature’s recovery and its impact on wildfire dynamics firsthand. Exploring these projects can deepen appreciation for the landscape’s rich history and the new ecological futures being shaped.
Keep an eye on scientific developments studying how rewilded ecosystems perform under changing climates, and how different species are selected to suit future conditions. Watching how these efforts evolve will highlight innovative ways to protect biodiversity while addressing wildfire threats. Meanwhile, enjoying upland landscapes with awareness of their ecological transformations can inspire support for continued rewilding efforts and sustained wildfire resilience in the UK and beyond.