High Peak MP Jon Pearce says this summer’s devastating fires must be a turning point as Government commits £45 million for specialist firefighter equipment, aerial firefighting capability and a new Wildfire Action Plan.
Jon Pearce has welcomed a series of major commitments announced at today’s Wildfire Resilience Summit, hosted by Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Communities Secretary Angela Rayner, following a summer of devastating wildfires across the country.
Jon attended the summit after spending the summer campaigning to raise awareness of wildfire risks, pressing major retailers to stop selling disposable barbecues and calling for a coordinated national response to the increasing risks wildfires pose to the UK.
The Government has now committed up to £45 million for specialist wildfire teams and lightweight, breathable protective equipment for firefighters. It has also announced plans to equip RAF Chinook helicopters and A400M aircraft to help tackle fires in remote and inaccessible areas like the Peak District alongside the development of England’s first Wildfire Action Plan.
For Jon, these announcements are a culmination of years of campaigning and address several of the key issues he has highlighted since the devastating fire on Tintwistle Moor which began in June and lasted for over two months.
Local firefighters told him directly about the need for lighter protective equipment designed specifically for tackling wildfires in extreme heat. The lack of effective aerial support was also a major challenge during the fight against the Tintwistle Moor blaze, which destroyed hundreds of hectares of precious moorland.
Jon Pearce MP said:
“Climate change is not theoretical, it is already happening and we have to adapt. This summer showed us, in the most devastating way, what that means for communities like ours in High Peak.
“From the moment the fire broke out on Tintwistle Moor, I have been determined to make sure we learn the lessons and are better prepared for next summer and the years to come. I have raised the alarm about the growing risks, campaigned to get disposable barbecues off the shelves and pressed for the equipment, aerial support and national coordination our emergency services need.
“It is fantastic that the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Communities have brought people together and that we are now seeing tangible commitments.
“Up to £45 million for specialist teams and lightweight protective kit is a significant step forward, particularly given what local firefighters have told me about the challenges they faced without this equipment this summer. And the commitment to equip RAF helicopters and aircraft for aerial firefighting directly addresses one of the problems I highlighted during the battle to contain the Tintwistle Moor fire.
“Just as importantly, we need a proper Wildfire Action Plan. We cannot keep treating these fires as isolated incidents and then starting from scratch when the next one comes. We need a coordinated approach to prevention, preparation, response and recovery, bringing together fire services, farmers, gamekeepers, land managers and local communities.
“This cannot simply be about fighting fires better. It must also be about preventing them in the first place. That means making our landscapes more resilient, supporting those who manage our land and continuing to tackle avoidable risks, including disposable barbecues during periods of extreme fire danger.
“I am incredibly grateful to the firefighters, farmers, gamekeepers, mountain rescue teams, emergency services and volunteers who worked tirelessly in dangerous and difficult conditions to keep people safe and protect our countryside this summer. Many spent days battling these fires, often at considerable personal risk. We owe them an enormous debt of gratitude.
“Their efforts must now be matched by action. Today is an important step forward, but we must make sure these commitments translate into practical improvements on the ground before next summer.”
The Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, said:
“I stood in Stourbridge and watched families lose everything. I will never forget it. Our firefighters were heroes that day, but heroes shouldn’t have to fight with one hand tied behind their backs.
“Crews will now have the kit they need to stay safe and military aircraft will stand ready to help tackle wildfires from the sky. We cannot put people through another summer like this one.”
The Government’s wider package also includes £25 million to restore dried-out peatlands in England, helping them retain water and act as natural firebreaks, alongside financial support for farmers to reduce fire risks on vulnerable land.
Jon Pearce MP has previously warned that High Peak is the area most vulnerable to wildfires, and that hotter, drier summers mean the country must adapt to risks that are already here. His campaign to stop disposable barbecue sales gained national attention, including appearances on BBC Breakfast and coverage by national broadcasters.
He has continued to press for retailers to take responsibility for reducing preventable fire risks and for the Government to ensure that the lessons of this summer are not forgotten.