Crews tackle more than 170 wildfires and counting

2 hours ago

News image — Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service said there had been about 176 wildfires so far this year

BBC A firefighter spraying a hedge at the Lands End airport fire. — Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service said there had been about 176 wildfires so far this year

Firefighters are working in increasingly challenging conditions as wildfires continue to flare up on a daily basis, with one service recording 176 wildfires in 2026.

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service's chief fire officer, Kathryn Billing, said there were six incidents happening at the same time on Wednesday, with the largest being at the airport in Lands End.

She said gorse and wildfires were "very testing" and resource intensive for the service and its crews having to contend with the hot and dry weather conditions.

Billing said there has been an increase of up to 12% in wildfire incidents compared to previous years and will begin work with landowners to limit future outbreaks.

Kathryn Billing smiling and stood in front of a red fire engine. She is wearing a white shirt, with a black tie. — Kathryn Billing said the service used drones to assess the fires

"We are experiencing an increase in dry weather which obviously does impact the number of gorse and wildfires that we have and we're definitely seeing that increase," she said while visiting Tolvaddon Fire Station,.

"We are waiting until the end of the summer for the main figures but we're on about 176 this year at the moment and that's up until August."

Billing said crews operate drones at the scene to assess the extent of the fires when flames were exceptionally high and the smoke was almost all consuming, making it difficult to see the direction of fire.

Teams then show the footage to specialist wildfire officers and control teams who can look at a map and inform the crews on the ground where is hazardous and if there is an opportunity to create a fire break.

"It really does enable us to target those resources that are there in the most effective way to get the fire or allow it to burn to a natural break," Billing said.

'Exceptionally hard'

After this busy period, she said the service would take advantage of what had been "quite a devastating summer" for landowners and take this opportunity to work with them through the winter to "get on the front foot with those firebreaks and land management."

"What we also want to do is change public behaviour and make sure people are having BBQs safely, not having bonfires and just ensuring they're playing their part as well to make sure the fires don't start in the beginning."

Billing said the incidents had been "exceptionally hard" and these types of incidents were not "quick work" especially in the hot and dry conditions.

She said they had to wear personal protective equipment and although the crews had "lightweight" gear, it still had to have thermal protection, as well as their boots to protect their ankles and feet, and the breathing apparatus which could be "hot and sweaty".

"It's really challenging for them."

Des Peck Fire at Mawgan Porth on Tuesday. There are fire engines on the right, and fire-damaged land in front. The centre of the land is burning with large plumes of black smoke. — One of the incidents took place at Mawgan Porth on Tuesday

Billing said fires which may have been started deliberately "for a bit of fun" "devastates lives".

"It also means I have to put my firefighters at risk to put those fires out."

She asked people to be vigilant and conscientious and stop and think if they really needed to have a BBQ or a bonfire in this dry and hot weather.

"A little bit of rain would help us all.

"Unless we do get that break in the weather, wildfires are an hourly occurrence now and it isn't a case of an if, it's when, because we are in that period of heightened drought."

Billing added she was "proud" of her crews and thanked them, the community and landowners who are helping to prevent these types of outdoor incidents from happening.