Firefighters face one of busiest years on record
Members of the Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority were told on Tuesday (September 29) that crews tackled 3,654 outdoor fires during 2025-26
Firefighters across Wiltshire and Dorset battled one of the most intense wildfire seasons in recent years while also responding to a sharp rise in house fires, a new report has revealed.
Members of the Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority were told on Tuesday (September 29) that crews tackled 3,654 outdoor fires during 2025-26, almost matching the record-breaking wildfire conditions experienced in 2022.
The report – which covers the period from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026, before this summer’s wildfires – links the surge to prolonged periods of hot, dry weather, which left heathland, grassland and woodland particularly vulnerable to fire.
Among the most significant incidents was a major blaze at Holt Heath, where around 100 firefighters were deployed and 20 homes were evacuated as flames threatened nearby properties.
Another large wildfire at Upton Heath destroyed 51 hectares of land and required support from fire services across the country.
The figures emerged in the authority’s annual report, which paints a picture of crews increasingly dealing with the effects of extreme weather while continuing to respond to everyday emergencies.
At the same time, firefighters attended a fifth more accidental fires in people’s homes than in the previous year.
The report shows crews attended 746 accidental dwelling fires, representing a 20 per cent increase compared with the previous year.
Fire chiefs said the majority of accidental fires continue to start in the kitchen, accounting for around 60 per cent of incidents.
The increase comes despite extensive prevention work by the service, which carried out more than 7,000 home fire safety visits during the year.
Firefighters also worked with vulnerable residents and made referrals to other agencies where wider support needs were identified.
The authority’s report highlights how fire and rescue services are increasingly balancing emergency response with community prevention work aimed at reducing risks before incidents occur.
Road traffic collisions, flooding events and medical emergencies continued to place demands on crews throughout the year, but wildfires remained one of the most prominent challenges.
The report notes that climate-related incidents are becoming a growing feature of operational activity, with hotter and drier conditions increasing the likelihood of large outdoor fires.
Fire chiefs are urging residents to take extra care both outdoors and in the home, particularly when cooking and during periods of warm weather.
The Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority is the body responsible for overseeing Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, setting its budget and strategic direction, and is made up of councillors appointed by Dorset Council, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, and Wiltshire Council.