Written Statement: Wildfire and Climate Resilience Update

I would like to update Members on our progress in reducing and responding to the risk of wildfire, following the summit convened in Merthyr Tydfil earlier today. With over forty representatives from the public and private sectors as well as volunteers and other stakeholders, it was a clear demonstration of the seriousness with which partners have come together to address this challenge collectively and learn all possible lessons from the wildfires this summer. 

It was a highly productive and practical discussion covering many aspects of how we can reduce the likelihood of wildfires occurring and ensure we are best placed to respond when they do. 

There was strong agreement that central to what we are trying to do is building the resilience of Wales, with wildfires being one if the real challenges we face.

Some proposals require further rapid work with partners to develop fully, but we will take forward the following as a priority:

• Multi-agency work to support a strengthened All-Wales Wildfire Board to bring together all partners on a national basis to prepare for next year’s wildfire season, covering early intervention strategies, risk management, public communications, and multi-agency co-ordination.
• A new pan-Wales approach to monitoring spring and summer resilience risks to ensure government departments and the responder community have a focused and consolidated risk picture for prioritising planning and resourcing.
• A rapid evidence review to better understand the role of land management in supporting wildfire resilience and a separate review of the Heather and Grass Burning Code.
• Bringing in international expertise to support Welsh Fire and Rescue Services with training and preparation.
• A structured pan-Wales register for farmers and landowners to indicate their willingness to provide vehicles, equipment and local knowledge to help with a firefighting response.
• A review of evidence and options with the fire and rescue services on improved health monitoring and decontamination procedures. 
• Exploration of further preventative actions to reduce risk, including renewed efforts around public engagement to highlight risks and how we can minimise them.
• Continued work with UK Government and other devolved administrations to deliver a comprehensive nationwide solution to the current lack of UK aerial firefighting assets.

I wish to place on record once again our gratitude to all those involved in fighting this summer’s unprecedented fires, and their engagement in today’s Summit. There is an absolute determination to make sure we are collectively prepared for what is likely to be another difficult spring and summer in 2027. I will provide the Senedd with further updates on these and work on other actions as that information becomes available.