New research shows North America wildfire seasons moving in different directions

by Americas - Featured NewsFeatured NewsResearchWildland Fire

Wildfire study tracks regional timing shifts

A new study has found that climate change is changing the timing of wildfire seasons across North America, with earlier fire seasons in northern forests, limited change in prairie regions and later activity in parts of the western United States and California.

The research, published in Geophysical Research Letters, examined wildfire activity across 18 ecological regions using burn area data collected between 2001 and 2020 from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua and Terra satellites.

Researchers combined the satellite data with environmental variables including temperature, precipitation, soil moisture, vegetation conditions, wind speed and lightning potential.

The analysis found that ecosystems are responding in different ways, with boreal and taiga forests across Alaska, Canada and parts of the Great Lakes region showing wildfire seasons that are shifting earlier in the year.

The study links that change to earlier snowmelt and faster drying of vegetation, which exposes flammable fuels sooner in spring.

It also found that boreal ecosystems are especially sensitive to atmospheric dryness, which was identified as the main driver of wildfire activity across several fire regimes.

Hongliang Zhang, environmental scientist at Fudan University in China, said: “It’s very region-specific.”

Wildfire seasons extend later in western regions

The study found that Mediterranean-type climates and desert regions in the western United States are seeing fire seasons that continue later into the year.

In California and the warm desert Southwest, increased late-season burning is pushing wildfire activity further into autumn and early winter.

The research links those patterns to prolonged drought conditions and changes in vegetation dynamics that increase fuel availability later in the year.

Prairie ecosystems and humid forest regions including the Appalachian Mountains and the southeastern United States showed only limited shifts in wildfire timing.

Researchers said these regions may be more stable because of stronger precipitation influences and different vegetation structures.

Wildfire projections point to further seasonal change

The researchers also used climate model projections to assess how wildfire seasons may change in future decades.

Under a high-emissions climate scenario, the study projects that boreal wildfire seasons could begin around a week earlier on average.

Some northern regions could shift by more than three weeks.

California’s wildfire season could extend by more than a month beyond the traditional June-to-October window, and desert regions in the western United States may also see later seasonal expansion.

The source material also states that the modelling framework could be used to assess vegetation change, along with human activity, in wildfire ignition.

According to the source material, about 85% of wildland fires in the United States are caused by human actions, including arson or unattended campfires.

Zhang said: “That model is really good at predicting wildfire.

“So now we want to predict the emissions of wildfire to the atmosphere.”

The study concludes that climate change is reshaping the seasonal distribution of wildfire activity across North America in ways that differ sharply between ecosystems.

Climate risks prompt fire and rescue funding demands from FBU and NGOs

by Featured NewsWildland Fire

Climate groups back FBU call ahead Budget

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has coordinated a joint letter urging the UK government to increase funding for the fire and rescue service in response to climate-related risks.

The union said the intervention comes as Chancellor Rachel Reeves prepares to deliver the Budget and follows discussions at COP30 on the global response to the climate crisis.

According to the letter, addressed to the Chancellor and Environment Secretary Ed Miliband, environmental and tax justice organisations including Greenpeace, Tax Justice UK, Friends of the Earth, Tipping Point UK and Global Justice Now have joined the call.

The signatories stated that the UK is “dangerously under-prepared” for the growing threat of wildfires, flooding and the wider impacts of climate change and that current arrangements do not match the risk profile set out in government assessments.

The letter asks the government to commit to substantial, long-term investment in fire and rescue provision across the UK as part of wider climate adaptation measures.

The signatories of the joint letter said: “But we also need to adapt.

“There is stark evidence that the UK is dangerously under-prepared for the growing threat of wildfires, flooding, and the wider impacts of the climate crisis.”

Wildfire and flooding risks set out for UK

The letter cites data from the Global Wildfire Information System indicating that by November 2025, wildfires had burned 47,026 hectares in the UK, the largest area recorded since monitoring began in 2012.

According to the signatories, this figure is more than double the area affected during the record-breaking summer of 2022.

Scientific projections referenced in the letter state that the number of days with “very high” fire danger is expected to triple by the 2050s and increase more than five-fold by the 2080s.

The projected rise in fire danger is described as a threat to public safety across the UK, with a particular concentration in southern and eastern England.

The signatories also reference the Met Office’s UK Climate Projections, which indicate that the risk of intense rainfall is increasing sharply.

Evidence from the Committee on Climate Change and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is cited as pointing to higher flood risk across the UK, including from seas, rivers and surface water.

The letter notes that the government’s National Risk Register already lists both wildfires and severe flooding as major national threats capable of causing prolonged disruption to infrastructure, utilities, transport networks and public health.

The signatories argue that, despite this assessment, there is currently no UK-wide strategy to prepare fire and rescue services for climate impacts and no dedicated investment programme aimed at building resilience.

Funding model for fire and rescue challenged

The FBU and co-signatories state that the fire and rescue service has lost nearly 12,000 firefighters since 2010, which they describe as one in five posts.

According to the letter, central government funding for the service has fallen by 30% in cash terms over the same period, with a steeper reduction once inflation is taken into account.

The signatories argue that these trends have contributed to equipment shortages, under-staffed control rooms and gaps in protective gear, with off-duty firefighters frequently recalled during extreme incidents.

The letter references a wildfire in Holt Heath, Dorset, in August 2025, where 17 fire and rescue services were mobilised, including crews from Greater Manchester and Merseyside.

It states that many firefighters attending that incident did not have specialist wildfire personal protective equipment (PPE), which the signatories say exposed crews to increased risks of heat stroke, exhaustion and burns.

The signatories also highlight the 2022 heatwave in London, when temperatures reached 40°C and 39 fire engines reportedly remained uncrewed due to firefighter shortages.

The letter states that this year’s Local Government Settlement from the Treasury has put fire and rescue services on a path towards further cuts.

Modelling by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), as cited in the letter, indicates that up to £102 million could be removed from fire and rescue budgets to address funding shortfalls, which the signatories say would further weaken major incident response.

The signatories concluded that this approach “is not a sustainable or safe model for climate resilience.”

They are calling for new central government funding to ensure sufficient firefighters, emergency fire control staff and specialist resources to meet wildfire and flooding risks.

They also want a statutory duty for fire and rescue services in England to respond to flooding, in line with existing arrangements in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

The letter further calls for a UK-wide wildfire resilience strategy developed with the FBU and other stakeholders, with the aim of establishing consistent standards for planning, training and operational response.

The signatories said: “We urge you to act decisively to provide the investment, strategy and leadership that firefighters and the communities they protect urgently need to tackle the realities of climate change.”

Climate funding call and its impact on UK services

Fire and rescue chiefs and senior officers may need to review staffing models, resource allocation and specialist capability if the government responds positively to the funding proposals set out in the letter.

Emergency and disaster response managers could face changes in planning assumptions if projections about increased wildfire danger and intense rainfall are used to reshape national risk and resilience frameworks.

Procurement officers and equipment specifiers may see greater focus on specialist wildfire PPE and flood response capability if new investment is directed towards addressing the gaps described for incidents such as the Holt Heath wildfire.

Government departments responsible for local government finance and climate adaptation could have to balance NFCC modelling on potential £102 million cuts against the call from the FBU and partner organisations for expanded climate-related duties.

Training officers and instructors might need to adapt programmes to align with any UK-wide wildfire resilience strategy that sets new standards for planning, training and operational response across services.

Risk assessors and fire engineering consultants could use the combination of Met Office, Committee on Climate Change and DEFRA evidence cited in the letter to inform advice on community risk management plans and infrastructure resilience.

Firefighters face rising battery and climate risks, says FBU

by ActiveFeatured NewsSafety

Lithium battery incidents growing across UK

Fire Brigades Union general secretary Steve Wright has called for greater investment in fire and rescue services to address the increasing risks posed by lithium-ion batteries and climate-related events.

According to the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), the comments follow recent data from the Office for Product Safety and Standards showing at least 211 fires involving e-scooters and e-bikes were recorded in 2024. In 2020, the figure was 26.

The majority of incidents occurred in London, but the figures are based on voluntary reporting by fire and rescue services, meaning the national total is likely higher.

The union said lithium-ion battery fires pose specific hazards, including the release of flammable gases and the potential for explosion.

These incidents are taking place alongside a documented rise in wildfires and flood responses, which the FBU linked to climate change.

Union cites cuts and slower response times

The Fire Brigades Union said that cuts to the fire service have weakened its ability to respond to modern risks.

According to the FBU, one in five firefighter posts has been lost in England since 2010.

It said these reductions have contributed to a three-and-a-half-minute increase in average response times since the mid-1990s.

Wright said: “Our equipment needs to keep pace with the advances in technology, and so does the training of firefighters that’s been cut over the years. Cars are more advanced, and lithium-ion battery risks are going up.”

He added: “Attendance to climate-related incidents has increased. I know there are climate change deniers in Reform, and I would love to have that argument all day with them because I’ve been on the front line. We’re attending more floods, more wildfires.”

Wright continued: “And because we are taking three-and-a-half minutes longer [to respond] compared with the mid-90s, fires are more developed. Firefighters’ safety has been compromised with the safety of members of the public.”

Lithium-ion fires pose new response challenges

According to the Office for Product Safety and Standards, lithium-ion batteries in e-bikes and e-scooters have been the cause of multiple fire fatalities in the UK.

These fires are difficult to extinguish and can re-ignite after being put out, the FBU explained.

The union also said these batteries can produce high temperatures and flammable gases, increasing the risk to both firefighters and the public.

It added that further investment in training and equipment is necessary to handle these incidents safely.

Climate-related incidents on the rise

The FBU linked increases in flooding and wildfires to climate change, stating that UK fire services are dealing with a wider range of incident types.

Wright said fire crews have seen more climate-driven emergencies in recent years.

He added that firefighters are now regularly deployed to incidents beyond traditional structure fires, which increases the demand on personnel and resources.

The FBU said more comprehensive planning and investment is needed to prepare for ongoing environmental changes.

Response time delays could increase risk

The union cited government figures showing a substantial increase in average fire service response times over recent decades.

According to the FBU, the additional minutes can lead to more fully developed fires and increased hazards for both firefighters and civilians.

It said that this makes adequate staffing levels and resource investment essential for public safety.

Firefighters face rising battery and climate risks, says FBU: Summary

Steve Wright of the Fire Brigades Union has warned that firefighters face growing risks from lithium-ion battery incidents and climate-related emergencies.

According to the Office for Product Safety and Standards, at least 211 e-bike and e-scooter fires were reported in 2024.

The FBU said that this represents a steep increase from 26 fires in 2020.

Most recorded incidents took place in London, but the total is likely higher due to voluntary reporting.

Lithium-ion fires are difficult to manage and can release flammable gases, according to the union.

The FBU said that response times in England have increased by over three minutes since the 1990s.

It attributed this to a 20 percent reduction in firefighter numbers since 2010.

Steve Wright said that fire crews are increasingly responding to floods and wildfires.

He added that more investment is needed in equipment and training.

The FBU has called for further support to address emerging risks.

UN Court: Climate change failures may lead to reparations

by Featured News

Wealthy nations warned over legal obligations

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has issued an advisory opinion warning that countries which fail to meet international climate change obligations may face legal consequences.

According to Reuters, the opinion stated that wealthy nations could be required to pay compensation to countries suffering from the effects of global warming if they do not comply with international treaties on emissions reduction.

Judge Yuji Iwasawa, speaking on behalf of the court, said nations are obligated to act under international law to limit pollution and ensure emission reduction targets are met.

The opinion clarified that countries are also accountable for the climate-related actions of companies under their jurisdiction.

The advisory opinion was welcomed by environmental groups and small island states, including Vanuatu, which initiated the request to the court.

Small states and campaigners welcome ruling

Vanuatu’s Climate Minister Ralph Regenvanu expressed strong support for the ruling.

Regenvanu said: “I didn’t expect it to be this good.”

Vishal Prasad, a law student involved in lobbying the Vanuatu government to take the case to the ICJ, said: “This advisory opinion is a tool for climate justice. And boy, has the ICJ given us a strong tool to carry on the fight for climate justice.”

The opinion was delivered unanimously by the panel of 15 judges, adding weight to its legal and symbolic significance.

Greenpeace legal counsel Danilo Garrido said: “This is the start of a new era of climate accountability at a global level.”

Harj Narulla, a barrister representing the Solomon Islands in the case, said the court’s position opens the possibility for lawsuits demanding compensation.

Narulla said: “These reparations involve restitution — such as rebuilding destroyed infrastructure and restoring ecosystems — and also monetary compensation.”

Human rights and climate plans

Judge Iwasawa stated that the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is a core part of international law.

He said: “The human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is essential for the enjoyment of other human rights.”

He emphasised that climate action plans must be ambitious and align with the goals of the Paris Agreement, including efforts to limit global warming to below 1.5 degrees Celsius.

The ICJ reiterated that greenhouse gas emissions are caused by human activity and are not geographically limited, requiring a collective response.

The court identified wealthy and industrialised countries as bearing greater responsibility due to their historical emissions levels.

Legal consequences outlined by ICJ

The opinion was requested by the United Nations General Assembly and follows hearings held in December 2023.

The court was asked to address two questions: what obligations states have under international law to protect the climate, and what legal consequences apply when countries fail to act.

The court’s response indicated that countries that do not meet their international climate obligations could face reparations if legal conditions under the law of state responsibility are met.

Reparations could include financial compensation, ecosystem restoration, or infrastructure repair.

The opinion also stated that governments are responsible for emissions from businesses within their control.

Impact of opinion and global legal action

While the court’s opinion is non-binding, legal analysts believe it will influence future cases.

The ICJ’s conclusions are expected to be referenced in upcoming legal action involving government and corporate responsibility for climate-related damage.

As reported by Reuters, the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment recorded almost 3,000 climate-related cases in 60 countries as of June 2025.

Campaigners view the court’s statement as a tool to increase pressure on countries that are not meeting their emissions commitments.

The ICJ’s findings arrive amid concerns that existing international agreements, such as the 2015 Paris Agreement, have failed to slow global emissions growth.

UN court: Climate change failures may lead to reparations: Summary

The International Court of Justice has issued an advisory opinion on climate change.

The opinion states that countries must comply with international emission reduction obligations.

Failure to do so may result in reparations to affected nations.

Reparations may include financial compensation, ecosystem restoration, or rebuilding infrastructure.

The opinion was requested by the United Nations General Assembly.

It was supported by small island states including Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands.

Judge Yuji Iwasawa said emissions must be reduced urgently and cooperatively.

He said rich nations have greater responsibility due to historical emissions.

The court also stated that states are accountable for companies under their control.

The opinion is not legally binding but may influence future legal cases.

Legal experts say the ruling strengthens climate accountability.

There are currently around 3,000 climate-related legal cases in nearly 60 countries.

The Grantham Research Institute provided this litigation data in June 2025.

The court also recognised a human right to a clean and sustainable environment.

The opinion links climate harm with breaches of international law.

UK fire service under pressure amid rising temperatures, says Fire Brigades Union

by Featured NewsWildland Fire

Fire Brigades Union calls for urgent action

The Fire Brigades Union has called for “urgent action” from the next government to prepare the UK for rising temperatures following this week’s heatwave.

Warnings for heat and wildfires have been in force across much of the country.

The union’s general secretary warned that the UK fire and rescue service was “fragmented, overstretched and chronically underfunded.”

Climate change is resulting in record-breaking temperatures, with an increased risk of heatwaves. Firefighters warn that urgent investment is needed to prevent a repeat of July 2022, when fire and rescue services were pushed to breaking point.

Impact of 2022 heatwave on London Fire Brigade

On 19 July 2022, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) reported its busiest day since World War II, evacuating approximately 500 people and taking nearly 3,000 calls.

In Wennington, East London, two rows of terraced houses were destroyed by fire.

However, that day, 39 fire engines were out of action without enough firefighters to crew them. The LFB was unable to send vital specialist equipment to some of the worst fires, while the control room taking calls declared an understaffing emergency.

Sixteen firefighters were injured, and two were hospitalised, with working conditions deemed unsafe.

Statements from Fire Brigades Union general secretary

Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union general secretary, emphasised the need for immediate government response to the climate emergency. Wrack stated:

“An incoming Labour government will need to wake up to the harsh reality of the climate emergency. We need urgent decarbonisation to avert the worst dangers of climate collapse, but we also need to adapt.”

He added: “Firefighters are battling the effects of soaring temperatures, but a decade of brutal cuts has left the UK unprepared. The fire and rescue service is fragmented, overstretched and chronically underfunded.

“Two years ago, UK firefighters were pushed to breaking point responding to raging wildfires without enough resources. We must not see a repeat of this chaos.

“The number of extreme weather events will only continue to rise, placing even more pressure on our overstretched fire service. Failing to invest in the fire service means failing to protect homes and lives from climate disasters.”

Preparing for future heatwaves

Firefighters are urging the next government to prioritise investment in the fire and rescue services to handle the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.

They stress the importance of adapting to the changing climate and ensuring adequate resources and personnel are available to respond to emergencies.

The Fire Brigades Union highlights that without significant investment, the UK will continue to face challenges in protecting communities and infrastructure from the growing threat of wildfires and other climate-related disasters.

Fire chiefs worldwide stress on the growing risks of climate change

by AmericasAmericas - Breaking NewsBreaking NewsSustainability

In a recent position paper coinciding with the UN’s Climate Ambition Summit in New York, global fire chiefs from major cities expressed deep concerns about the increasing risks posed by climate change.

They stressed the imperative for proactive strategies and greater cooperation to strengthen the capabilities of fire and rescue departments around the world.

Chiefs collaborate for a proactive stance on climate change impacts

This marks the inaugural occasion where chiefs from the Urban Fire Forum have published a position paper focusing on climate change’s implications for the fire service.

The paper was formulated with the backing of the US Fire Administration.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), located in Quincy, MA, hosts the Urban Fire Forum. It brings together fire chiefs from prominent cities across the globe.

Their annual gathering facilitates the chiefs to provide policy direction concerning emerging challenges facing fire departments internationally.

Prominent figures from the fire service, including US Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell and NFPA President and CEO Jim Pauley, were present.

Extreme weather patterns underline the urgency

Recent occurrences have underscored the fire chiefs’ urgency regarding this issue. For instance, in August, Lahaina in Maui faced devastating wildfires intensified by drought conditions and storm-like winds, marking it as the most fatal wildfire in the US in over 100 years.

Globally, such severe weather phenomena are on the rise.

In 2022, a total of 42 weather-induced disasters were recorded worldwide, each leading to damages exceeding a billion dollars.

In their paper, the chiefs mentioned: “Throughout history, fire and rescue departments have dedicated countless hours preparing to respond to catastrophic events, striving to minimise the effects on the communities they protect.”

However, with climate change’s persistent effects, there’s a growing need for fire service leaders to re-evaluate typical risks and acclimatise to the evolving threats of the present-day emergency response scenario.

They highlight the increasing challenge fire departments face, from impacts on their resources and manpower to the demand for specialised equipment and skills.

Pauley commented: “This isn’t merely a plea; it’s a guide to ensure our firefighters and communities are optimally equipped for the evident repercussions of climate instability.”

He further indicated that this position paper serves as a good representation of fire chiefs pioneering an essential facet of the NFPA Outthink Wildfire policy initiative, which aims to ensure fire departments are equipped to address wildfires safely and effectively.

Dr. Moore-Merrell, responding to the paper, said: “Across our nation and the globe, the menace of climate change-induced wildfires, coupled with frequent potent storms in unfamiliar territories, poses threats to individuals, communities, and first responders.”

She emphasised that fire departments, being at the forefront of such climate-induced incidents, require immediate enhancement in resilience and resources.

A forward-thinking approach and flexibility towards sustainable solutions are paramount, she added.

Mounting challenges and the road ahead

The position paper sheds light on the escalating challenges due to climate change and offers resources for fire departments to tackle them.

Recent news headlines offer evidence of community impacts ranging from severe heatwaves, catastrophic wildfires to unforeseen floods like the ones at the 2023 Burning Man Festival in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert.

Such incidents lead to loss of life, extensive damage, and significant socio-economic consequences, imposing an unparalleled strain on fire and rescue units.

The paper also outlines five core principles to guarantee a climate-resilient fire service, including proactive risk rethinking, a whole-system approach, a focus on mission, collaboration and inclusivity, and the adoption of durable solutions.

Otto Drozd, executive secretary of the NFPA Metropolitan Chiefs Association which coordinates the Urban Fire Forum, noted: “The scope of climate-related catastrophes affects both small towns and large cities universally.”

He added that this position paper from forum members underscores the gravity and extensive concerns of fire leaders.

For those interested in a deeper dive, the position paper is accessible here.

IFSJ Comment

The release of this position paper by global fire chiefs highlights a pressing concern that resonates universally.

It isn’t just a statement but a testament to the evolving challenges that fire and rescue departments face in light of our changing climate.

By offering a blend of insights, resources, and principles, this paper provides a foundational roadmap for departments worldwide.

As the frequency and intensity of climate-induced events rise, the collective efforts, as outlined in the position paper, can ensure that our fire and rescue services remain robust, resilient, and equipped to safeguard communities against the unpredictable adversities of a changing climate.

Equivalent of 16 football pitches lost to forest fires every minute

by Featured NewsIndustry SectorsWildland Fire

Forest fires are burning twice as much global tree cover as 20 years ago according to new data published on Wednesday (17 August) which shows the equivalent of 16 football pitches are now lost every minute.

Researchers from the University of Maryland used satellite imagery to map areas of tree cover lost, including that burned by what are known as stand-replacing forest fires – fires that kill all or most of the forest’s canopy and which cause long-term changes to forest structure and soil chemistry.

The research revealed in great detail how wildfires have progressed over the past two decades with the blazes claiming an estimated three more million hectares each year – an area approximately the size of Belgium – compared with 2001.

The study also showed that the majority of tree cover loss is occurring in the boreal forests that blanket much of Russia, Canada and Alaska.

Around 70% of fire-related tree cover loss over the last two decades occurred in boreal regions, likely because high-latitude regions are warming at a faster rate than the rest of the planet.

Last year, Russia lost 5.4 million hectares of tree cover due to fires, the highest on record at an increase of 31% over 2020.

The study said: “This record-breaking loss was due in part to prolonged heatwaves that would have been practically impossible without human-induced climate change.”

“Forest fires are getting worse worldwide,” James McCarthy, research analyst at Global Forest Watch, told AFP.

“In these boreal regions carbon has accumulated in the soil over hundreds of years and has been protected by a moist layer on top.”

Cuts are stretching fire service’s ability to respond says FBU

by Featured News

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has said that cuts are stretching the fire service’s ability to respond as the UK experiences record heat. Firefighters and control staff have been stretched to the limit, responding to wildfires and other incidents as the country faces record temperatures. 

15 fire and rescue services declared major incidents, highlighting the scale of the challenges firefighters and control have faced. Each of these services have had firefighter numbers slashed.

The FBU said Firefighters are working in extreme heat and conditions for excessive periods of time. Employers have had to ask people to give up leave to assist because of staff shortages. There have been a number of injuries to FBU members over the past two days, including hospitalisations.

Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary said: “Firefighters are at the forefront of the climate emergency. The demands of the job are increasing but our resources have been under attack by government cuts for over a decade. 11,500 firefighter jobs have been slashed since 2010. 

“We have warned of the growing threat for years but our concerns have fallen on deaf ears. The brutal truth is that government ministers and Chief Fire Officers have ignored the warning signs which have been obvious for all to see. They are guilty of criminal complacency. 

“The fire and rescue service should plan for foreseeable risk. The stark reality is that frontline firefighters and local communities have been let down by a combined failure of Chief Fire Officers and politicians to face up to the scale of the challenge. It is simply untrue to say they have not been warned year after year of the risks posed by climate change.

“The same people then tell frontline firefighters to tighten their belts and accept a cut in their pay. We will not accept a paltry pay offer of 2% when the demands of the job are increasing, and the cost of food, fuel, energy and almost everything else is soaring. 

“There is a growing anger at the way firefighters have been treated for more than a decade and at the way our service is being dismantled in front of our eyes.”

CLT experts to develop new fire safety compliance framework

by PassiveProjects

Cross laminated timber (CLT) is now widely acknowledged as having a vital role to play in reducing CO2 emissions to mitigate the climate change crisis. Existing buildings and new construction account for nearly 40% of the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions according to a World Green Building Council report published in September 2019.

Specialist contractors and manufacturers operating in the sector firmly believe that mass timber technology like CLT provides the solution to many of the challenges the construction industry is facing today.

In collaboration, leading CLT manufacturers are investing half a million pounds in developing a new fire safety compliance framework for CLT to meet the amended Building Regulations in England.

Over the next 18 months the research supporting the new framework will include a series of compartment fire tests for commercial and multi-family residential type buildings to generate new knowledge in support of a safe design envelope for CLT buildings.

Robust fire safety designs

The purpose of this ongoing research is to provide scientific data for CLT fire performance that will support designers in the delivery of robust fire safety designs.

It ultimately aims to allow the ministry of housing, communities & local government (MHCLG) to view CLT as a construction material suitable for all buildings including where CLT forms part of the external wall construction irrespective of height.

In carrying out this research as an industry, it will also establish benchmark testing for all CLT manufacturers leading to an enhanced and broader understanding of CLT performance in fire.

The project is a collaboration of the largest suppliers in Europe supported by leading fire and structural engineering experts. The project proposals and outputs will be reviewed by an independent industry stakeholder group.

Data from the research will be released as and when it becomes available during the course of the programme.

Knowledge and competency

The CLT industry in the UK, supported by the Structural Timber Association (STA) is also responding to recent statements raising concern about the gaps in knowledge and competency relating to mass timber by providing evidence of the product fire performance and data to support competent professionals in the design of mass timber buildings for fire.

This evidence aims to enhance the understanding of fire performance of CLT, in terms of compartment fire behaviour, the response of structural elements and hazards associated with external fire spread.