This summer, wildfires severely impacted the Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service’s ability to respond promptly to other emergencies, council committee members have revealed. Over the past three months, the number of deliberately started fires has nearly doubled, highlighting growing concerns about arson in the region.
Response times to fires in domestic properties increased from an average of 11 minutes and 33 seconds to 14 minutes and 1 second during this period. Area Manager Brad Stevens addressed the Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority’s local performance and scrutiny committee, explaining that the wildfires in May disrupted the service’s normal operations.
Since early 2025, firefighters have been called to 900 grassland, woodland, and crop fires—matching the total number recorded in the previous worst year, 2022. Prolonged dry spells, intense heatwaves, and strong winds created conditions ripe for wildfires to ignite and spread rapidly.
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One major wildfire at Holt Heath, just inside Dorset, required over six days and more than 100 firefighters to contain. The fire burned approximately 69 hectares (170 acres) and is suspected to have been deliberately started. In Warminster, a farmland fire threatened nearby homes, destroying garden structures despite the efforts of 75 firefighters using 15 appliances.
To combat wildfire spread, the fire authority is actively educating landowners and farmers about firebreak creation. Alarming data shows that year-on-year, the number of deliberately started fires rose from 68 to 127 in this quarter alone. Collaborating with the police, the fire service is targeting repeat offenders to reduce arson incidents.
While response times to domestic fires have slowed, improvements were seen in other emergency responses. For fires in public spaces, average response times improved from 14 minutes 20 seconds to 12 minutes 36 seconds, while response times for road traffic collisions dropped from 15 minutes 22 seconds to 13 minutes 51 seconds. Notably, there was an increase in road crashes this summer, from 60 to 68 incidents, with 58 people rescued from vehicles.
Accidental fires in homes rose slightly from 39 to 45, partly due to incidents involving lithium batteries. AM Stevens emphasized the need for better education for e-bike riders, particularly those using aftermarket batteries.
Encouragingly, false alarms at commercial premises fell significantly—from 118 last summer to 76 this year—thanks to a new protocol requiring confirmation before dispatching firefighters.
Recruitment challenges continue to hamper the service as fewer businesses allow employees to become retained firefighters. Committee chairman Paul Sample acknowledged the intense demands placed on the force this summer and requested formal recognition and praise for all firefighters’ hard work during this difficult season.