MPs warn Britain is poorly prepared for wildfires and urge firefighting planes and barbecue bans after a record summer

Fire crews in England and Wales tackled 1,132 wildfires by mid-August, beating the whole of 2025's tally. Nineteen homes were destroyed in Stourbridge and troops were deployed in south Wales. Efra Committee chairman Alistair Carmichael said two record years 'should be ringing alarm bells in Westminster'. He insists new aerial firefighting capability is a 'minimum requirement' before 2027.

The Cairngorms blaze, which started on July 15, burned for more than a month.

Andy Burnham imposed a temporary barbecue ban, and MPs now want nationwide powers.

Carmichael says Britain must get in step with 'fire-savvy nations such as Australia'.