15 August 2025
The North York Moors National Park is at extreme risk of wildfire. Prolonged dry weather has left ground vegetation and forests tinder-dry, creating the perfect conditions for flames to spread rapidly and out of control.
The North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is already under considerable pressure and any new fire in the county would be a considerable stretch of resources.
The North York Moors can still be enjoyed safely, but extra caution is required.
You must NOT
- Discard cigarettes or matches anywhere, including from car windows along any road. Even a tiny spark can start an uncontrollable blaze.
- Light barbecues, campfires or open flames in the National Park, surrounding gardens, allotments, lay-bys, or any nearby open land or forest.
- Leave glass bottles or reflective litter, sunlight can ignite dry vegetation through them.
Why the risk is so high
Dry heather, bracken and grass are as flammable as straw. If these ignite, fires can burn deep into the peat, smouldering for days underground and releasing massive amounts of carbon into the atmosphere. Once started, they are incredibly hard - sometimes impossible - to stop.
How you can help right now
- If you see any sign of smoke, smouldering or fire, no matter how small, call 999 immediately. Do not assume somebody else has done this.
- Avoid anything that could produce heat, sparks, or flames in or near moorland and woodland.
- Be vigilant - challenge unsafe behaviour where you see it and set the right example.
Ben Platt, Area Manager in the North of the National Park, said:
“In these conditions, even a single thoughtless act can destroy irreplaceable habitats and put enormous pressure on our fire service. Everyone has a role to play in protecting the North York Moors.”
A final plea
The fire service is working flat out to protect lives, property, and landscapes. Do not give them another fire to fight. The survival of our wildlife, our precious peatlands, and the safety of local communities depends on all of us acting responsibly.
ENDS
Media contacts
Nina Beadle, Communications Office, 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 8.4 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.