UK wildfire risk on farms prompts NFU call for action

by Featured NewsWildland Fire

NFU raises alarm over wildfire threats to British farms

The National Farmers Union (NFU) has called for urgent action to reduce wildfire risk on farmland following a sharp increase in fire incidents and worsening drought conditions.

According to the NFU, government, fire services and local councils must act together to support prevention, education and emergency response efforts.

The National Fire Chiefs Council has recorded over 500 wildfire incidents so far in 2025.

The Environment Agency recently confirmed that both the West and East Midlands have entered official drought status.

River flows in some areas are now at their lowest June levels since 1976.

Wildfire conditions escalate with heat and drought

The NFU has linked this growing wildfire threat to persistent hot and dry weather across the UK, which has created highly combustible conditions on farmland.

The Met Office has warned that extreme temperatures are becoming more frequent.

In a statement, NFU Vice-president Rachel Hallos said: “As farmers, we are doing what we can, but this isn’t an issue we can tackle alone.

“It’s vital that government, fire services and local authorities work with us on prevention, education and response, and for everyone enjoying the countryside this summer to be fire-aware so these shared spaces remain safe for all.

“Protecting our farmland means protecting our food, our environment and our rural communities.”

Data from NFU Mutual shows farm fire claims rose to £110 million in 2023.

This marked a 37% increase from 2022.

NFU outlines specific wildfire risk reduction measures

The NFU has issued a series of requests to government and fire services to help reduce wildfire risk.

One of the union’s proposals is the introduction of legislation to require combine harvesters to include fire suppression systems at point of sale.

The NFU has also asked local councils to issue Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) restricting activities such as barbecues and sky lanterns that could spark fires in dry rural areas.

The union expressed concern about proposed restrictions on controlled burning of heather on deep peat, which it believes could worsen fire risks in upland regions.

A final proposal calls for wider investment in a rural fire engine adapter developed in Lincolnshire.

Rural adapter enables firefighter access to farm water stores

A Lincolnshire-developed adapter enabling fire engines to connect to on-farm water storage has proven effective in controlling fires on agricultural land.

The NFU noted that this adapter is in use across Lincolnshire and Norfolk, but has not yet been adopted in most other regions.

NFU members Andrew Ward and Rhonda Thompson recently experienced a fire on their farm and highlighted the value of the adapter.

Rhonda Thompson said: “It was awful to get the call from a neighbour that our poultry manure heap was on fire, which is surrounded by thousands of acres of wheat – both our own and neighbouring farmers’.

“Every minute the fire was unattended added to the risk of it breaking over into the crop, where it would’ve spread quickly to neighbouring farms and been much harder to contain.

“Two fire engines arrived quickly from Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire and, fortunately, the Lincolnshire fire engine was carrying the adapter.

“I dread to think how bad it would’ve been if the firefighters didn’t have access to our on-farm water stores and neighbours’ water bowsers and tankers. Sadly, that’s the situation facing most farms across the country without this adapter.”

Farmer-led solutions offer wildfire prevention model

The NFU highlighted the adapter as an example of farmer-led innovation developed in cooperation with emergency services.

NFU Vice-president Rachel Hallos said: “The fact that one of our members worked with his local fire service to develop an adapter specifically for rural areas, then managed to secure funding for all 48 fire engines in Lincolnshire to be equipped with it, shows what can be achieved when we work together and put our minds to it.

“These adapters have been instrumental in minimising the impact of farm fires on livelihoods, and I believe it should be a non-negotiable for all fire engines across the country to invest in.

“They aren’t expensive, yet the cost of a farm fire can be devastating.

“There are solutions out there, and what we’re asking for today will help tackle some of the key causes and risks of wildfires.”

UK wildfire risk on farms prompts NFU call for action: Summary

The National Farmers Union (NFU) has called for action on wildfire risks affecting UK farmland.

The NFU has urged government, fire services and local councils to coordinate prevention and emergency response efforts.

The Environment Agency has declared drought in the West and East Midlands.

The Met Office has reported increasingly frequent temperature extremes.

The National Fire Chiefs Council recorded over 500 wildfire incidents in 2025.

Farm fire claims rose to £110 million in 2023, according to NFU Mutual.

The NFU proposes legislation requiring fire suppression in combine harvesters.

It also recommends PSPOs to limit high-risk public activity in rural areas.

Concerns were raised about land management policy changes affecting upland burning.

The NFU supports national adoption of a fire engine adapter for rural water access.

This adapter is currently used in Lincolnshire and Norfolk.

Farmers have credited the adapter with helping to contain recent fires.

Building smarter with BIM technology, Microsol Resources discuss

by Breaking NewsConstruction

Daniel Drohan, Account Executive, Microsol Resources, examines how BIM enhances fire safety by improving risk detection, system integration and emergency planning across construction projects 

Fire safety systems integration in building design has always been paramount in the construction process. In the past, fire prevention strategies, such as fire-resistant materials, escape routes and suppression systems, were designed and installed manually.

Building Information Modelling (BIM) has ushered fire safety design approaches to the next level, providing unparalleled advantages in risk assessment, visualisation, regulatory compliance and emergency response strategies. 

This article explores how BIM is changing how we perform fire safety in construction projects. It serves as a one-source reference for professionals, emergency services personnel, industry regulators and decision-makers concerned with fire prevention, safety systems and emergency management. 

How BIM assesses risk and fire prevention

One of BIM’s greatest contributions to fire safety is its ability to maximise construction site safety by assisting in risk assessment in the early design stages. BIM can help designers and safety engineers develop proper fire safety plans and design and simulate what could go wrong before construction occurs.  

Here is how BIM revolutionises risk assessments and fire prevention: 

It analyses and identifies hazards early. BIM offers a holistic approach to fire risk assessment based on data from different sources and building systems (architectural, structural, MEP, etc.). For instance, BIM may detect a badly positioned fire exit or inadequate fire protection systems. 

Ideally, early identification of hazards is essential and design modifications early in the process can facilitate effective improvement to fire safety while avoiding the expensive remedy of retrofitting after construction. 

BIM simulates fire scenarios: Using BIM models, you can simulate the fire dynamics and see how that fire would move through different building sections. This is heat flux analysis, smoke movement analysis and effectiveness analysis of ventilation systems. These simulations are used to design fire barriers, exit routes and fire suppression systems suitable to each building’s needs. 

Fire safety system integration: BIM integrates various fire safety systems into the building’s design, such as sprinklers, alarms and fire-resistant doors. This permits the detection of design conflicts between systems and eliminates design errors that may compromise the building’s fire performance and safety. 

How does the BIM transform the visualisation of fire safety?

Fire safety design has traditionally been and continues to be a highly visual activity. BIM moves this up to a new level by providing a dynamic, interactive platform for visualising fire safety elements and strategies during the building process.  

So, how does BIM transform fire safety visualisation? Let’s get into it in detail. 

Real-time updates and modifications 

BIM differs from a traditional CAD model because it allows real-time updates. If the building design changes, fire safety professionals can quickly determine its effect on fire risk and fire safety systems. For instance, a modification in the building layout may move the fire exit or change the materials used. BIM can instantly assess the changes, meaning the fire safety measures are always current. 

Interactive and immersive visualisation 

BIM allows users to walk through a building virtually, providing an immersive experience that will enable them to see potential fire hazards from both the design team’s perspective and the emergency responders. This is just one level of visualisation that’s very useful when designing emergency evacuation routes and understanding how occupants react during a fire situation. 

Simplifying regulatory compliance with BIM in fire safety 

BIM simplifies building codes and fire safety regulations by automating the work. A BIM model allows architects and engineers to easily check that fire safety codes are being satisfied—for example, fire resistance ratings, escape route widths and where fire alarms and extinguishers should go. It simplifies the process of checking that regulatory requirements are met before approval. 

With BIM, there’s less risk of noncompliance and less chance of costly delays, fines, or hazardous situations. BIM constantly monitors the design against fire safety standards, so the designers and stakeholders have no worries that fire safety measures are not integrated and maintained. 

How BIM models enhance emergency response strategies

The BIM models enable emergency responders to assess and control fires more effectively and faster. They have full access to relevant building information, including fire exits, safety systems and occupancy loads. Many first responders also believe that real-time building data enhances emergency response results. 

Another benefit of BIM is planning training on building configurations and risks in case of fire disasters, which helps enhance compliance and quick decision-making. 

BIM also enables representation of fire cases, which in turn allows firefighters to determine how to proceed when a fire occurs. This need is met through the approach, which offers the best chance at maximising the safety of the building while ensuring the safety of the first responders and the occupants, even in emergencies. 

 How digital twins and BIM are leading the way

The future of fire safety is in the hands of Digital Twins (DTs) and Building Information Modelling (BIM). Both will place fire safety on a more intelligent and proactive path with intelligent safety management—a real-time digital twin of a physical building whose power comes from BIM data and sensors. 

As fire alarm and sprinkler critical systems, this technology allows continuous monitoring and when malfunctions are detected, it alerts the user immediately.

New research conducted in a recent survey shows that 75 percent of respondents believe that digital twins can aid fire safety equipment maintenance, demonstrating the growing faith in digital twins to upgrade safety procedures. 

In addition, digital twins with BIM and IoT contribute to 3D models combined with real-time data to evaluate fire safety and better plan evacuations. In the same survey mentioned above, 89% of respondents favor this approach; they see the opportunity to increase the performance of fire safety equipment and simplify emergency procedures.  

The promise of being a system interconnected with the entire potential building operation will revolutionise fire safety. This will ensure timely interventions and enhance risk management at all stages of building operation. 

Final thought

Integrating BIM into fire safety design is the most significant change in the construction industry. BIM benefits fire safety by improving risk detection, fire prevention, building compliance and emergency response. Like any new technology, such as digital twins, the possibilities for BIM to change how fire safety design is carried out are growing.  

This model has become a critical innovation for those working on construction, emergency services and regulatory authorities. It has become a central part of the modern practice of fire safety as a means of better visualisation, simulation and automation of fire safety systems. 

About the author 

Daniel Drohan is the Account Executive for the New England market for Microsol Resources. He supports architecture, engineering and construction firms that focus on the latest solutions to help improve collaboration and data collection and maximise ROI for any project. Dan has a BS in Marketing and a Minor in Sustainability from UMass Dartmouth. He lives in the Boston area with his wife and his three kids who enjoy sports and the outdoors. 

This article was originally published in the March 2025 issue of International Fire & Safety Journal – to read your FREE digital copy, click here.

Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service respond to over 4,500 incidents in five years

by Featured NewsResearch

Deliberate fires across the UK continue to waste valuable resources and put lives at risk, despite Fire and Rescue Services across the UK attending fewer incidents than last year. Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue has been revealed as attending over 11,000 incidents since 2019 by a new investigation, with many of these being deliberate fires.

Primary and secondary fires

Figures obtained by Public Interest Lawyers found that the Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service has attended 11,544 primary and secondary fires over the past five years, with around 40% of these being deliberate fires.

Primary fires are potentially more serious fires that cause harm to people or damage to property.  Secondary fires are generally small outdoor fires, not involving people or property and these include refuse fires, grassland fires and fires in derelict buildings or vehicles.

In 2019/20, Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service attended 2,487 primary and secondary fires, the second-highest number of fires in the past five years. Two years later, this number decreased to 2,028, caused by restrictions and lockdowns during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Service has experienced a drop in primary and secondary fires over the past year, with a total of 1,921.

Deliberate fires

Fire Rescue Services (FRSs) attended 600,324 incidents in the year ending March 2024, a decrease of 3.6% compared with the previous year (622,659).  Of these incidents, there were 138,977 fires, which was a decrease of 22% compared with the previous year (178,867).

Despite this positive drop in fires across the UK, a worrying percentage of these incidents are deliberate fires, which can lead to injuries and fatalities.

In the Public Interest Lawyers research 40% of primary and secondary fires were found to be deliberate fires. Victims of deliberate fires may lose all their property, become homeless or be seriously injured. The impact of arson is not just financial; it can also significantly affect a person’s emotional well-being and sense of security.

As highlighted by the Public Interest Lawyers, deliberately set fires are dangerous and are a criminal offence. They waste time, money and keep fire crews away from real emergencies. Deliberately set fires commonly include bins, skips, fly-tipped waste, derelict buildings, dry grass and heathland.

The impact across Hertfordshire

The Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service has recorded 34 deliberate fire injuries since 2019. The highest annual total was eight in 2021/22 and 2022/23.

Whilst the impact of lockdowns in 2021 may have depressed the number of deliberate cases, the figures show that not only is arson the leading single cause of the fire but highlight the extent to which the increasing threat of arson must be taken seriously.

Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service covers a wide area, which is divided into districts. Based on figures gathered from the service, the district where the most fires have occurred since 2019 is Dacorum at 1,581. East Hertfordshire, North Hertfordshire and Welwyn Hatfied District’s also experienced over 1,300 incidents.

Rise in deliberate fires attended by Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service

Since 2019, Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service have attended an increased amount of deliberate fires, over 4,500 out of the 11,544 incidents. Meaning that deliberate fires made up over 40% of the incidents attended by the Service.