The plan that never was
It’s giving negligence, honestly. A new freedom of information request just dropped, and it turns out the government quietly scrapped a plan meant to prepare England’s countryside for the wildfire threat. The goal was to have a wildfire risk program running from 2023 through 2027 to adapt land management—but it never actually launched.
While the current government is saying that commitment belonged to the previous administration and just didn’t happen, the vibes are off. Environmental campaigner Guy Shrubsole, who snagged these docs, called it "appalling" that the government couldn't be bothered until this summer's literal infernos forced their hand.
No gear, no training
The situation for our fire crews is lowkey terrifying. Data from the Country Land and Business Association shows that more than half of the 29 fire services they surveyed don't even have the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) for wildfires. We're talking about gear that’s too heavy for the conditions, leading to overheating, and masks that don't block out the nasty gases from wildfire smoke.
Training is also an L. In some areas, less than 2% of staff are qualified to command wildfire operations. When you have teams dealing with "apocalyptic" blazes near nuclear power stations with standard-issue gear, it’s not hard to see why the Fire Brigades Union is demanding better investment and real training ASAP.
Why it matters
As the climate gets hotter and the countryside turns into a tinderbox, "asleep at the wheel" is the only way to describe the state of our disaster planning. With the government now scrambling to hold summits after the damage is already done, experts say we need to focus on serious stuff like re-wetting peat bogs and actual land management to keep the fires from spreading in the first place. Say less, just get it done.
