Landmark Wildfire Action Plan to Help Response to Major Blazes in Scotland

Press Release

Rural business organisation Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) has welcomed the Scottish Government’s strategic action plan for wildfire, published today.

SLE, a member of the Scottish Government’s new Strategic Oversight Group for Wildfires as well as the Scottish Wildfire Forum, described the plan as the culmination of productive engagement by the Scottish Government with partners in the land management sector and the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service.

Sarah-Jane Laing, chief executive officer of Scottish Land & Estates, said: “This landmark strategic action plan will enhance prevention, preparedness and response to wildfires, which, sadly, are becoming more frequent and more damaging.

“Ministers have listened and worked in partnership with the rural sector to identify the key actions required to enable us to make better use of resources and to work more effectively when a fire does break out, including the use of helicopters and specialist equipment held in the private sector. 

“Following major fires last year, SFRS has invested in equipment, vehicles and training to strengthen its response to wildfires, particularly in rural areas. While welcome, there is no doubt that continued collaboration between the private and public sector will be crucial to protect people, wildlife and habitats.”

As part of the strategic response to wildfire, SFRS has created a tactical burnback team, four new wildfire support units with enhanced equipment and two new interim wildfire units in Lockerbie and Thurso.

One of the most crucial elements of the action plan is the implementation of a ‘concept of operations’ by SFRS, ahead of the 2026 wildfire season.  This will form the basis of a collaborative integrated fire management approach involving the Fire Service, public sector and private sector partners.

SLE’s report to the Scottish government in July 2025 detailed the extensive resources, manpower and expertise contributed by at least 36 rural businesses, including 30 estates, in fighting the devastating Carrbridge and Dava wildfires. The collective value of specialist firefighting equipment deployed by private land managers was conservatively estimated at nearly £4 million, with at least 110 employees and contractors engaged in the containment effort.

Among the other key actions identified are the promotion of the Community Asset Register by the SFRS in conjunction with SLE, as well as enhancing its visibility and usability in order to expand the number of volunteers and assets available to be used by all those responding to a wildfire in a rural area. 

Following the amendments to the muirburn licensing scheme that were included in the Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2026, the Scottish Government is considering implementation of the licensing scheme in the next parliamentary term, subject to agreement with the incoming government.  Ministers intend to monitor implementation and will continue to engage with key stakeholders on this issue.

In addition, the SFRS and Scottish Wildfire Forum partners will consider the mapping work undertaken by Scottish Government of the current helicopter call-off process to identify whether there are opportunities for improvement.

Working with SFRS, the Scottish Wildfire Forum and the University of Edinburgh’s Fire Research Centre, the Scottish Government is in the process of reviewing Scotland’s existing system of wildfire danger assessments and alerts.

The Scottish Government is facilitating discussions between the Association of British Insurers, insurance companies, the SFRS, public sector partners and SLE.  This dialogue will ensure that the insurance industry has a full understanding of wildfire insurance requirements and that these are taken into consideration when insurers are developing policies.

The recommendations made by the Scottish Multi-Agency Resilience, Training and Exercise Unit (SMARTEU) underpinned the development of the action plan, including that a review should be undertaken of assets registered on the Community Asset Register (CAR). This review should also consider the need for appropriate insurance for use of these assets in wildfire incidents, as well as the accreditation or training required for individuals competent to operate specialist equipment.

SMARTEU noted that policymakers, including the Scottish Government, should be aware of the unintended consequences of any reduction in the use of fuel load management techniques which would likely worsen the incidence, spread and ferocity of wildfires. 

In addition the agency observed that there was significant concern that the private equipment used to tackle previous blazes, excluding helicopters, would be at risk if legislative change to the practice of muirburn is introduced. This private equipment was judged to be more extensive than that held by the SFRS.

The agency reported that the wider review of wildfire preparedness and response should include commissioning and tasking command and control of air assets, plus insurance options for responders’ wildfire response equipment, including that held by estates.

Sarah-Jane Laing continued: “We welcome the comments made by SMARTEU that any reduction in fuel load management would likely exacerbate wildfires, a point that has been made consistently by land managers and has been taken on board by policymakers. 

“The development of this plan is a very promising start, but our collective ability to prevent, prepare and respond to wildfire requires that the actions are progressed with urgency, in partnership with the private sector. We must follow through on the recommended actions in the coming weeks, before the start of the next wildfire season.”