Reform MP calls for fire service boosts and improved water security
Danny Kruger's calls come amid hundreds of Wildfires across Wiltshire
Last updated 17th Aug 2026
East Wiltshire MP Danny Kruger says more needs to be done to support local fire services as demand on crews continues to soar.
Firefighters from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) tackled 277 grassland, woodland and crop fires in July, and have helped deal with the New Forest fire this month.
It's prompted calls from Wiltshire's only Reform UK MP for Government to boost fire services and for better water security amid drought.
"Fundamentally, we need a system of local support that ensures that people can get out and prevent these fires happening and respond appropriately when they do," Mr Kruger said.
Earlier this year, eight fire stations faced closure due to a funding shortfall. The closures were put off in the short-term thanks to Government funding for an unrelated project, but an increase to Council Tax precept is needed to keep them open long-term, with an application for a one-off £8.77 increase being prepared by the Chief Fire Officer. A decision on that is expected early next year.
Mr Kruger added that the Government sending out a national alert to our smart phones was "an abuse of the system", claiming it's supposed to be only used when there is "immediate risk to life". The alert, which caught many by surprise, advised of the high risk of wildfires and urged us to take caution, as well as informing us of the temporary ban on disposable barbecues.
"I don't think sending an emergency alert to every mobile phone in the country would have done anything to prevent or stop the wildfires. In fact, it distracted and distressed many people.
"I was driving along a main road in my constituency, suddenly my phone starts blaring at me with a system that was designed for we're under attack," he said.
Mr Kruger added: "I really think sending a signal saying don't use a BBQ is an abuse of that system. It's the wrong approach. And what we should be doing is, as I say, properly investing in our fire services and ensuring that we can put in place the preventative measures to prevent these fires from taking place."
The Government has issued emergency funding to fire services facing the greatest pressure, while longer-term resilience will be discussed in the coming months.
The Government said: "Later this year, ministers will convene a national wildfire summit bringing together fire chiefs, the National Fire Chiefs Council, the Fire Brigades Union and other partners to strengthen future preparedness and consider what additional capabilities may be required to respond to increasingly severe weather events.
"The summit will build on the Government’s existing investment in wildfire resilience, including £97 million for fire service training and specialist equipment."
Improving water security a must
Mr Kruger also called for improvements to be made to our water security, as Wiltshire is among the two-thirds of the country experiencing drought.
He wants to see more reservoirs built to capture the rain that falls: "We haven't built a new reservoir in this country for 30 years, and that's because of the failures of the planning system. And so we need to significantly improve the supply of water. We're a pretty rainy island. You wouldn't think it this month, but we are."
He said planning changes need to be made to prevent building on floodplains and extracting as much water from our rivers as we do.
"The biggest and most important thing we must do is to ensure that reservoirs are built and that we increase the amount of water that we secure."