Recovery work begins after Fylingdales wildfire

The restoration of the North York Moors following last summer’s devastating Fylingdales wildfire is now underway, backed by more than £5 million of Government funding.

Led by the North York Moors National Park, the recovery project will restore thousands of hectares of damaged moorland while improving resilience to future wildfires.

Backed by the Government, York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority (YNYCA) and a range of partner organisations, the initiative will restore damaged landscapes while helping to build resilience against future wildfires.

Funding will be used to restore peatland habitats, repair 17 kilometres of firebreaks created during the emergency response, reinstate public rights of way closed by the fire and strengthen long-term wildfire prevention measures.

Nature Minister Mary Creagh MP visited Fylingdales nearly a year after the blaze began to see the restoration work first-hand and meet firefighters from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service who tackled the incident.

Ms Creagh said: “The Fylingdales wildfire was an unprecedented event that caused serious and lasting damage to one of England’s most treasured landscapes. 

“This funding will help bring the moorland back to life - restoring the deep peat that stores carbon, supports rare wildlife, and protects communities downstream. 

“Resilient, rewetted peatland is our best natural defence against wildfires in the future, and I am determined that this landscape recovers stronger than before.” 

Councillor Jenny Kent, environment and climate portfolio holder for YNYCA, added: “It was inspiring to be able to show our Minister for Nature Mary Creagh MP the vital protection and restoration work already achieved on some of our most sensitive ecological and archaeological sites, made possible with Mayoral funding.  

“There is much more to do, but we're lucky to have a wealth of expertise in our region dealing with the devastation that the wildfires have caused. 

“Huge thanks to all those working on this vital restoration project.” 

Briony Fox, director of conservation and climate change at North York Moors National Park Authority, added: “The speed of this funding made all the difference. Having that commitment in place so early meant we could get specialists on the ground straight away, when every week mattered for the historic features and habitats at greatest risk.  

“It has also let us think beyond the immediate emergency, to the longer-term recovery of the moor’s peat and grazing systems, which are just as important for its future and for our net-zero ambitions.”

Declared a major incident on August 12 last year, the Fylingdales wildfire was the largest in the National Park’s history, burning around 20 square kilometres of moorland and forcing the closure of key roads.

The incident was not stood down until September 23, when the focus shifted from firefighting to recovery.

Earlier support from York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority also enabled the temporary relocation of livestock, helping to protect vulnerable habitats while new livestock tracking technology is introduced to support the careful reintroduction of grazing as restoration work continues.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue concluded the wildfire was started by people using an open flame to cook food, prompting renewed calls to end the sale of disposable barbecues.

Alison Hume, MP for Scarborough and Whitby, added: “There are important lessons to learn from this terrible wildfire. 

“After establishing the APPG for Wildfire Prevention, I am determined to continue working with partners to strengthen our resilience, because unfortunately wildfires like this are likely to become more common and we must be prepared. 

“Thanks to the bravery of North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, supported by local farmers, gamekeepers and crews from across the country, no lives, homes or critical infrastructure at RAF Fylingdales were lost. 

“It was a real team effort.”

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