Understand
Shropshire fire crews tackling wildfire and flood extremes
Overview
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service is adapting to a cycle of dealing with both summer wildfires and winter floods, driven by climate change. Senior officers and local leaders are calling for increased resources, specialist equipment, and better preparedness following unprecedented wildfire incidents over the summer.
Key points
- Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service reports facing a cycle of extreme weather, dealing with wildfires in summer and flooding in winter.
- Group manager Anna Morris Jones described the summer wildfire response as unprecedented and traumatic, causing widespread damage across the West Midlands.
- The service has started issuing wildfire prevention advice as early as January and February to prepare for the changing climate.
- Calls have been made by senior fire officers and political leaders for more specialist resources, such as 4x4 vehicles and aerial firefighting capabilities, to handle future wildfires.
- Shropshire Fire Service is working more closely with local farmers and landowners who assisted significantly during the summer fires.