Wetter landscapes offer Britain a buffer against wildfire

Restoring wetter, more varied landscapes could help Britain live with growing wildfire risk, according to a new Rewilding Britain report highlighted by Positive News.

The charity found that just one of 285 larger projects in its Rewilding Network was directly affected by wildfire between March and August 2026. That is an observation, not proof that rewilding alone prevented fires.

The report explains the practical mechanism: rewetting peat, restoring wetlands and mixing habitats can retain moisture and interrupt stretches of flammable vegetation. At Bamff in Scotland, a study found that beaver dams stored water across more than 12 hectares of floodplain and released it slowly during dry weather.

Restoration takes time. Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service cautions that vegetation can initially build up, increasing fuel before wetter habitats mature. Firebreaks, grazing and other management may still be needed.

Rewilding cannot replace fire prevention or emergency services. But keeping more water in the landscape offers a practical way to help nature become more resilient as conditions change.

Sources

• Positive News — This week’s reporting on wildfire resilience
• Rewilding Britain — Rewilding and climate resilience: Wildfires
• Farm Advisory Service — Managing wildfire risk