NEWS: Council urges communities to prepare for growing wildfire risk
Communities across the Malvern Hills District are being urged to prepare for the growing risk of wildfires.
Many open spaces across the district contain dry grass, wildflowers and other vegetation that can ignite quickly if exposed to heat, sparks or embers.
Parish and town councils are being urged to put Community Emergency Plans in place, or review existing plans, to ensure they include the growing threat from severe weather.
These plans help communities prepare for emergencies by identifying local risks, key contacts, vulnerable residents and community resources that can be used to support a response.
Traditionally, Community Emergency Plans have been used to prepare for flooding, but with climate change bringing hotter, drier summers, wildfires are expected to become an increasingly common sight across the UK.
Support is available through the council's emergency planning team, with more information and contact details available on the council's website.
The council is also reminding residents to take care during hot weather and help protect communities, wildlife, green spaces and nearby homes.
Residents and visitors are being urged not to use disposable barbecues or light open fires.
The warning comes as Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service continues to highlight the dangers posed by fires in the countryside during prolonged dry conditions, as well as the Government's recent consideration to ban disposable barbecues. Countryside fires can spread rapidly, cause extensive damage, and put lives at risk.
Even where grass appears short and well maintained, such as on popular recreation areas, hot ash, coals or disposable barbecues disposed of incorrectly can create a significant fire risk, particularly if placed in litter bins before they have fully cooled.
Cigarettes and other smoking materials should be properly extinguished and disposed of in a bin and never thrown from a vehicle.
Cllr John Gallagher, Portfolio Holder for Resources (with responsibility for emergency planning) at Malvern Hills District Council, said: "The risk of wildfires is very real and as climate change brings hotter, drier summers, that risk only increases. I would urge parish and town councils to take up the council's offer of support and make sure they are prepared for wildfires, as well as other emergencies. It is important that residents also remind themselves of the dangers to safety and the environment around barbecues and cigarettes.”
Visit www.malvernhills.gov.uk/environmental-health/emergency-planning for more information.
Visit www.prepare.campaign.gov.uk for advice on how to prepare for an emergency.
Date published: 13 August 2026