26 July 2026
A major new campaign aimed at reducing the risk of devastating wildfires in North Yorkshire has launched, bringing together organisations from across the county to raise awareness and encourage responsible behaviour in the countryside.
The launch coincides with a period of exceptionally hot weather, putting invaluable landscapes at extreme risk of fire.
The ‘Don't Spark Disaster’ campaign is being delivered by the North York Moors National Park Authority in partnership with North Yorkshire Council, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Forestry England and North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service. North Yorkshire Council funded the campaign, which is also being supported by the authority’s destination marketing and management service, Visit North Yorkshire.
The campaign comes as organisations continue to deal with the long-term impacts of last year’s devastating wildfire on Fylingdales Moor, which became the largest wildfire in the history of the North York Moors National Park.
Running throughout the summer months, Don't Spark Disaster will deliver clear and impactful messages to residents and visitors about the simple actions that can help prevent wildfires. Campaign activity includes targeted social media advertising, e-newsletters, outdoor advertising and digital communications across North Yorkshire and beyond.
The campaign highlights how seemingly small actions – such as discarding cigarettes and leaving glass bottles behind, alongside behaviours such as lighting barbecues and campfires – can have devastating consequences for wildlife, landscapes, local communities and the emergency services. However, visitors are still encouraged to get outdoors and make the most of all that North Yorkshire has to offer. There are plenty of tasty local picnic options that don't require on-site cooking, helping people to enjoy a safe day out while reducing the risk of wildfires.
As well as raising public awareness, the campaign is calling on businesses, community organisations and local groups to help spread the message by displaying campaign materials in their premises, on websites and across social media channels.
A free toolkit containing posters, digital graphics and social media assets is available to download, making it easy for organisations to support the campaign and reach residents and visitors alike.
Jim Bailey, Chair of the North York Moors National Park Authority, said:
“Most wildfires are preventable. That's the simple but crucial message at the heart of this campaign.
“The fire may have happened a year ago, but we continue to deal with the aftermath on a daily basis. Farmers and graziers have been unable to return sheep to parts of Fylingdales Moor, while the landscape remains visibly scarred by both the fire and the large earth trenches that were dug to stop it spreading further.
“We urge everyone to think carefully about their actions when enjoying the countryside this summer. A moment's carelessness can have consequences that last for generations, but a few simple precautions can help prevent another devastating wildfire from happening in the first place.”
North Yorkshire Council’s leader, Cllr Carl Les, said:
“We welcome visitors here in North Yorkshire and our stunning landscapes attract millions of people every year, but we need everyone to understand the risks and take care of the environment.
“A barbecue in the sunshine or a carelessly discarded glass bottle or cigarette can have serious impacts for people and places for years to come, as we saw last year.
“This campaign is vital to making sure that we do not see a repeat of the biggest wildfire we have ever witnessed in North Yorkshire.
“Our message is clear – please come and enjoy all that North Yorkshire has to offer but be aware that careless actions can cause a catastrophic impact on our communities and the natural environment.”
Lizzie Bushby, Deputy Chair and Member Champion for Recreation Management at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, said:
“We are proud to support this campaign after witnessing the devastation caused by the Fylingdales Moor wildfire in the North York Moors. Moorland habitat is becoming more vulnerable as our climate changes. Once it burns, we lose essential habitats, wildlife and peatland that has taken hundreds of years to form. These fires are often the result of human actions, so it’s vital that everyone who visits our National Parks takes simple steps to help protect these precious landscapes.”
For campaign resources and further information, visit the Don't Spark Disaster campaign page at northyorkmoors.org.uk/dontsparkdisaster.
ENDS
Media contacts
Nina Beadle, Communications Officer, North York Moors National Park Authority
press@northyorkmoors.org.uk
01439 772700
The North York Moors National Park
The North York Moors is a beautiful landscape of stunning moorland, ancient woodland and historic sites. Created on 28 November 1952, it became Britain’s sixth national park. Covering an area of 554 square miles (1,436 square kilometres) the National Park has 26 miles of coastline, two national nature reserves, 840 Scheduled Monuments and over 3,000 listed buildings, attracting an estimated 9.03 million visitors a year.
The National Park has two visitor centres, Danby Lodge National Park Centre and Sutton Bank National Park Centre, providing opportunities for cycling, walking, eating, picnicking, shopping, crafts and wildlife-watching. The centre in Danby also houses the Inspired by… gallery, which features regularly changing exhibitions by artists who draw their inspiration from the North York Moors.
The North York Moors National Park Authority works with a wide variety of people to care for this beautiful corner of Yorkshire, providing apprenticeships and volunteering opportunities with nearly 14% of staff being apprentices from local families.
About North Yorkshire Council
North Yorkshire Council was launched in April 2023 following one of the largest examples of local government reorganisation nationally.
The council covers England’s biggest county and is one of the largest local authorities nationally providing services for thousands of businesses and more than 600,000 residents.
It is responsible for key services ranging from waste collection and recycling to highways maintenance across a vast network of roads as well as adult social care, education, planning, economic development and leisure and culture.
For more information, visit www.northyorks.gov.uk
About Forestry England
Forestry England manages and cares for the nation’s 1,500 woods and forests, with over 313 million visits in 2024/25. We use our scale and expertise to grow and care for the nation’s forests for this generation and the next. We are continuing the work we have already started to make the nation’s forests resilient to climate change and by 2026 we will:
create at least 6,000 more hectares where we integrate wilding activities in our productive forests.
increase the diversity of visitors to the nation’s forests and have one million hours of high-quality volunteer time given to the nation’s forests.
plant at least 2,000 hectares of new, high-quality woodlands.
For more information visit forestryengland.uk. Forestry England is an agency of the Forestry Commission.
About the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority
The Yorkshire Dales National Park is one of 15 National Parks in the UK. It is administered by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, which has two main purposes: "to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage" and “to promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the National Park". In carrying out these purposes, the Authority has a duty "to seek to foster the economic and social well-being of local communities.”
The National Park Authority comprises 25 members, made up of county and district councillors and members appointed by the Secretary of State for the Environment to represent parishes or in recognition of their specialist skills or knowledge. All our work is guided by the vision for the future of the National Park set out in the Yorkshire Dales National Park Management Plan
“Through their passion for this special place, local people and businesses will keep the Yorkshire Dales National Park a thriving area. Its unique cultural landscape will be treasured for its stunning scenery, exceptional heritage and wonderful wildlife, and every year millions of people will be inspired to be a part of it.”