Wildfire Risk Assessment Guidance: Key Factors to Consider Outdoors

Wildfires


Wildfires have become an increasingly common phenomenon as the climate in the UK and Ireland becomes more extreme. Wildfires are destructive, and most of them are started by human activity.


Wildfires are starting earlier in the season and typically lasting longer due to prolonged higher temperatures than the historic average. Increasingly, wildfires can now occur almost anywhere in the country - from urban areas through to the countryside and upland environments. 

Common causes of wildfires 

 

1. Unattended flames
This includes barbecues, campfires, and bonfires left unattended or not properly extinguished. Even a small spark can ignite dry leaves and brush, leading to a major wildfire.


2. Glass bottles
Sunlight shining through a glass bottle can act like a magnifying glass, focusing heat and igniting dry materials nearby.


3. Controlled burns gone wrong
Planned burns are sometimes used to manage land, but they can spiral out of control if not done properly.


4. Deliberate fire setting
This is sadly a reality, with some people starting fires intentionally. If you see suspicious activity, report it immediately to Police Scotland or Crimestoppers.


5. Careless cigarette disposal
Even a seemingly extinguished cigarette can reignite and spark a fire in dry conditions.


6. Hot and dry weather
Prolonged periods of hot, dry weather create a tinderbox environment, where even a small spark can easily ignite a wildfire.


7. Cold, dry, and sunny weather
Believe it or not, cold, dry days with strong sunshine can also be risky. The combination of low humidity and strong winds can quickly dry out vegetation and fuel wildfires.

Worst-case scenario planning

  1. Have you considered a worst-case fire scenario during your planning, including wind direction etc?
  2. Have you considered multiple ignition points and how this might be influenced by prevailing winds along your proposed route?
  3. Before you head out check for warning for wildfire hazard in your local area: (See below)
  4. Do you have a clear go/no-go threshold for postponing or altering plans on high-risk days?

 

Checking for wildfire hazard:

 

Scotland: When Scotland is at high threat of wildfires, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) alert the public and partners through social media and their website. They will detail the areas across Scotland most likely to be affected and alert the public to the threat of wildfires by issuing Wildfire Danger Assessments.

 

England/Wales: In England and Wales ensure you check the Met Office Wildfire Severity Index and any local Fire and Rescue Service warnings before setting out. 

 

Northern Ireland: The Northern Ireland Strategic Wildfire Group is made up of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) (including the Forest Service and Northern Ireland Environment Agency), the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS), and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). They will jointly issue wildfire warnings and advice.

 

Republic of Ireland: In the Republic of Ireland, wildfire and forest fire risk warnings are officially issued by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).

Escape and evacuation

  1. Are there, or have you clearly identified, escape routes from each area?
  2. Are there natural firebreaks (e.g. significant water features, cliffs, open ground)? Note: fire can "jump" features, so consider that a natural firebreak might not be as effective as you think.
  3. Are bodies of water safely accessible as potential safety zones?
  4. Could emergency vehicles (e.g. fire engines) physically access the area if needed?

Smoke and air quality


Whilst there is a risk to life from flames and heat, smoke is also a significant hazard. Wildfire smoke is a mixture of hazardous air pollutants, such as PM2.5, NO2, ozone, aromatic hydrocarbons, and lead.

 

  1. Consider wind direction (and how this might change) and the impact of drifting smoke and ash from fires, which can affect respiratory conditions.
  2. Consider carrying a basic FFP3/FFP2 mask to reduce smoke inhalation. These are small and come in a sealed packet and can easily be placed im emergency kit if required.
  3. Check whether any group members have asthma or other respiratory conditions that may increase their vulnerability to smoke exposure.

Communication

  1. Do you have reliable communications with other group(s) or base?
  2. Do you have someone, or a mechanism, for quickly relaying emergency information and evacuation instructions?
  3. Does everyone in the group know to call 999 and how to give a clear location (e.g. grid reference, what3words etc) to the fire service?

Vegetation and fuel load

  1. Are there areas of dense, flammable vegetation (e.g. gorse, dry moor)?
  2. Are these near potential ignition sources such as busy car parks, popular tourist spots, popular paths (risk from BBQs, untended fires, discarded cigarettes etc.)?

Human-caused risk factors

  1. Are there areas at higher risk of deliberate or accidental fire-starting (e.g. near roads, tourist hotspots)?
  2. Can these areas be avoided in route planning?

Camping stoves

  1. In very high-risk fire situations, use of camping stoves must be carefully reevaluated.
  2. Emphasise and actively manage good fire safety when using stoves at campsites, e.g. use stoves only on flat, stable, fire-resistant surfaces clear of dry grass, heather, and tents, and have a means to extinguish any ignition.
  3. Used correctly, enclosed gas stoves remain the safer, preferred alternative.