Wiltshire finds itself at the crossroads of two extreme seasons: a summer marked by rampant wildfires and a winter bracing for significant flooding. Torrential rains have already triggered localized flash flood warnings, but the most pressing concern lies ahead as swollen rivers and overwhelmed drainage systems threaten to inundate communities.
Recent history underscores the vulnerability of the area. In September last year, Calne experienced flooding severe enough to close Beech Terrace due to rising waters. Just two months later, November’s Storm Bert caused the River Avon at Chippenham to burst its banks, submerging key roads and flooding homes and businesses—the worst flood event in the town since 1968. January saw further challenges when Lacock was flooded after Storm Herminia, raising alarms for neighboring towns along the River Avon.
This wet winter gave way to a searingly dry summer during which the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service confronted more than 900 fires spanning grassland, woodland, and crop areas. Prolonged dry spells, intense heatwaves, and persistent high winds combined to create ideal conditions for wildfires that threatened residential areas, such as the field fire near Warminster in July, which damaged some outbuildings but, thankfully, spared homes.
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Wiltshire Council attributes these increasingly erratic weather patterns to climate change. Councillor Paul Sample, Cabinet Member for Environment, emphasized the profound impact rising temperatures and shifting weather are having on local ecosystems and communities. “Severe and unpredictable weather is leading to a rise in both the frequency and intensity of wildfires and flooding events across Wiltshire,” he said.
Acknowledging the limits of local influence over a global phenomenon, the Council is nonetheless committed to mitigating risks. This effort includes raising public awareness about fire and flood dangers, promoting responsible land management, and collaborating closely with emergency services. Preventative strategies encourage the reduction of combustible vegetation and improved understanding of fire behavior, alongside flood risk communication and management.
The Met Office echoes this reality, forecasting that extreme weather conditions—such as summer heatwaves driven by ‘Spanish plumes’ and milder, wetter winters—will become the norm. This shift will place increasing pressure on emergency services and local infrastructure.
Wiltshire Council’s role extends to supporting flood risk management, working alongside the Environment Agency and partners through Operational Flood Working Groups. These groups prioritize communities near vulnerable river areas, including those south of Salisbury Plain and along the Kennet and Avon.
To combat drainage challenges, the Council carries out an annual program targeting known land drainage problems aimed at reducing flooding risks. However, Councillor Sample cautions that heavy storm events may still overwhelm low-lying areas despite these efforts.
Planning and development policies also play a crucial role. As the local planning authority, Wiltshire Council enforces flood mitigation through assessments and regulations, requiring sustainable drainage systems and water attenuation measures in new developments to lessen flood exposure.
Community involvement stands at the core of Wiltshire’s strategy against climate challenges. The Council actively partners with parish and town councils, residents, businesses, and volunteer groups to protect current and future generations from the hazards posed by severe and unpredictable weather.