Wildfire Appeal
To save our moorlands, we must fight fires together.
In the last 40 years there have been over 350 reported wildfires in the Peak District. The smallest spark is all it takes to start a fire which can spread out of control with terrifying speed. Damaged landscapes take years to recover and hundreds of thousands of pounds to repair. Wildfires devastate wildlife and release huge amounts of pollution and carbon dioxide into the environment. By donating to the wildfire appeal you will restore habitats devastated by fire, and fund prevention activities to help reduce the risk of future disasters.
Fight fires by training specialist fire-fighting teams
Firefighting operations are dangerous and costly. Your donation will support National Park Rangers to take part in training exercises and create co-ordinated plans to tackle large-scale moorland blazes.
This work is done with partners in the Fire Operations Group which includes fire and rescue services, major landowners, water companies and wardens from the National Trust and RSPB.
Restore habitats devastated by fire
The damage caused by a fire is devastating for plants and wildlife. Often, damage can extend for several miles, leaving behind acres of blackened, bare peat. It can take decades for the land to recover. Your donation will reduce this recovery time by funding essential restoration works.
With your support, we can lower the acidity of soil, restore blanket bogs to their natural waterlogged state, and plant essential sphagnum moss. This activity reduces the risk of wildfires, provides homes for wildlife, and creates the right conditions for specialised moorland plant species to regrow.
Prevent wildfires through education and action
While hot, dry spells increase the probability of fires, the main risk comes from people.
Educating people about what they can do to prevent fires is essential. For example, not taking any flames – including BBQs, campfires, cigarettes and matches – anywhere near moorland. Even a dropped metal tin or glass bottle can cause a flame which starts a catastrophic fire.
Your donation will fund public information campaigns and resources for schools. It will also fund the boots-on-the-ground prevention work of Wildfire Engagement Officers. These essential staff patrol key areas, identify and dismantle fire sites, and raise awareness of fire safety among visitors. A pilot of this approach in the Upper Derwent Valley in 2025 demonstrated the impact these Officers can have, with over 80 fire sites dismantled in just a few weeks.