Location data key to tackling Britain’s growing wildfire threat

Hotter, drier summers mean wildfires are no longer just a problem for remote moorlands. Increasingly, they are breaking out at the edges of towns and cities – areas where housing meets fields, woodland and open countryside.

These ‘urban edges’ are home to millions and contain a mix of vegetation, infrastructure, and human activity that can make wildfires both more likely and more disruptive.

Recent analysis by Ordnance Survey (OS) shows that over 1.8 million homes in Britain sit within the first 100 metres of these transition zones. Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, Essex, Kent and Lancashire top the list for the highest number of properties in this high-exposure band.

Why the urban edge matters

Duncan Moss OBE, Principal Consultant at OS and Co-Chair of the Natural Hazards Partnership Hazard Impact Science to Services Group, says climate change and human behaviour are increasing vulnerabilities in these zones.

“Wildfire risk isn’t determined by weather and climate alone. It’s shaped by the type and condition of vegetation, the shape of the land, how it’s used, and how likely it is to come into contact with ignition sources.

“Whether it’s a barbecue in the back garden, a campfire, or smoking materials tossed from a footpath, there are far more opportunities for wildfires to start in these busy transition areas.”

Unlike in wildfire-prone regions such as California, the UK’s urban edges rarely have managed firebreaks. Grassy verges, scrub, farmland and trees often sit right alongside vital infrastructure like power lines, reservoirs and transport routes – making fires harder to predict and their impacts potentially more widespread.

Mapping risk to support preparedness

OS data is a critical tool for fire services, not just during an incident but in the planning stages.

In the middle of a wildfire, mapping helps crews navigate difficult terrain, position resources, create fire plans and identify at-risk homes. Longer term, it helps services and councils identify where preventative measures are most needed.

OS provides this data through the Public Sector Geospatial Agreement, supporting all public bodies. It also works with the National Fire Chiefs Council to guide practitioners carrying out wildfire analysis and preparedness planning.

By connecting the dots between local land managers, national agencies and scientific partners, location data provides a clearer picture of wildfire risk and informs the smartest interventions.

Britain’s patchwork challenge

Professor Gareth Clay, University of Manchester and member of the Natural Hazards Partnership Steering Group, points out that Britain’s rural-urban borders are less clear-cut than in many wildfire hotspots overseas.

“In regions like California, there’s often a distinct line between urban and rural areas, sometimes with a firebreak in between,” he says. “Here, it’s a patchwork – woodland next to fields, fields next to housing, housing next to infrastructure.

“This can sometimes slow a fire by breaking up fuel sources, but it also means these areas are used daily by people, which increases ignition risks.”

Planning for long-term resilience

Moss says the challenge is not just about this summer or one hotspot – it’s about preparing across regions, sectors and services.

“Ultimately, this is about long-term resilience,” he says. “Better data means councils and policymakers can make more informed decisions – from where to build and how to configure new developments, to how we defend what already exists.”

As hotter, drier conditions become more frequent, understanding how wildfires behave – and where they’re most likely to occur – is essential. With rich geospatial data, expert insight and cross-sector collaboration, emergency services can help ensure communities, infrastructure and livelihoods are better protected.

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