Government action to curb wildfires welcome but more must be done, says National Trust, as tens of thousands sign petition
- Published:
- 26 October 2026
Three months after a precious nature reserve in Suffolk was destroyed by fire, the National Trust has welcomed new Government measures to prevent wildfires and boost climate resilience, but says “bold, long-term plans are needed”.
It comes as the charity delivered a petition to Number 10 Downing Street this afternoon, signed by 147,811 people in the wake of the huge blaze at Dunwich Heath in July. The petition called for urgent action to protect communities, landscapes and wildlife from the growing impacts of climate change.
On Friday, the Prime Minister held a National Wildfire Summit and announced a suite of measures aimed at curbing fires. These included a £25m fund to rewet dried-up peatlands, better equipment and PPE for fire crews, and support for farmers to create ponds as firebreaks.
Hilary McGrady, the National Trust’s Director-General, who attended the summit, said: "This year has been one of the worst in recent memory for wildfires, with homes, landscapes and wildlife lost around the country. After all the devastation, it’s a relief that Government is listening to our supporters and taking steps to curb this crisis.
“Thousands of people signed our petition because they can see the impacts of climate change happening before their eyes. I’m grateful to everyone who added their name and helped secure this campaign success.
“But let’s be clear – this is only the start. The effects of climate change are only getting more severe, and bold, long-term plans are urgently needed from the Government. Otherwise we risk storing up a bigger problem for ourselves and our children later down the line. Crucially, restoring nature must be a priority – nature can buffer the effects of extreme weather and is essential to our safety and our survival.
“And let’s not forget the root causes of these increasingly severe events: the burning of fossil fuels. We absolutely need to prepare for climate change, but we can’t adapt our way out of it: we must tackle it at source too. Otherwise, we are simply mopping up the floor while the tap is still running.”
The petition was supported by the people-powered campaign group 38 Degrees and launched following the devastating wildfire at Dunwich Heath in Suffolk which destroyed 104 hectares (equivalent to 146 football pitches) of rare heathland habitat.
Dunwich Heath was one of over 1,132 fires reported across England and Wales this year, fuelled by an incredibly hot and dry summer which resulted in tinderbox-like conditions.
The fire provoked a huge community and national response and highlighted the increasing challenges facing nature, communities and emergency services.
Veronica Hawking, Campaigns Director at 38 Degrees, said: “No one can forget the scenes of wildfires this summer as the country faced heat wave after heat wave. Nearly 150,000 people up and down the country demanded action to address this national crisis, forcing the Government to finally listen and deliver these announcements.
“38 Degrees has a long and proud history of campaigning to protect Britain’s nature and wildlife and today is a significant milestone in that ongoing fight. For years, the public has made it clear that tackling urgent challenges like climate change is a top priority. Whilst there is still more to do, today we celebrate the power of our collective voice and the fact that the Government has finally taken steps to face this challenge.”
The petition was handed in by representatives from the National Trust and 38 Degrees, alongside supporters and partners who have witnessed first-hand the impacts of wildfires and climate change on people and nature.
One of those attending No. 10 this afternoon was Russell Clement, General Manager at Dunwich Heath in Suffolk, who has been overwhelmed by the public response. He said: "This summer's fire left a landscape ashen and empty of wildlife. The heathland which was once alive with vibrant colour, birdsong and wildlife was changed forever in a matter of hours. It will take decades to recover.
"The experience at Dunwich is a powerful reminder that we must do more to prepare for and reduce the impacts of extreme weather, and we must ensure that our Fire & Rescue teams have the specialist equipment and skills they need to respond to changing climate hazards.
"However, the level of public support we've seen through this petition has been extraordinary. It gives us hope that people across the country want to see stronger action to protect nature for future generations. We need Government to step up to act now."
General Secretary of the Fire Brigade Union, Steve Wright, said: “The response from the public to the National Trust petition has been overwhelming and shows just how important adequately equipping the fire service is.
“The best way to prepare for and respond to wildfires is to recruit thousands more firefighters and we will continue to make that case.”
The petition called on Government to:
- Make climate resilience a national mission, led across Government and supported by long-term investment in adaptation and preparedness.
- Invest in nature as essential infrastructure, including peatlands, wetlands, rivers, heathlands and woodlands that help communities adapt to climate change, manage flood and drought risk, store carbon and support wildlife.
- Strengthen support for Fire and Rescue Services, ensuring they have the funding, specialist equipment, skills and resources needed to respond to increasingly frequent and severe wildfires.