Sparks That Scorch: How Campers Can Help Prevent Wildfires

Camping is about freedom and connection, with nature, not destruction. But this year, across the UK and beyond, wildfire incidents are increasing rapidly. Understanding why they happen, and how to prevent them, has never been more urgent.

Wildfire Risks Are Escalating, in the UK, Europe & Globally

UK Wildfire Surge

• In England and Wales alone, 564 wildfires had snapped into life by mid‑June 2025, a 717% increase compared to the same period in 2024 (69 incidents) and more than double the 2022 total (277) NFCC+1International Fire & Safety Journal+1.
• As of early April, Scotland and Northern Ireland had already logged 286 wildfires, against a historical average of around 15 Financial Times.
• By mid-year, fires larger than 1 ha in the UK hit a record 173 incidents, surpassing 2022's high Wikipedia+1House of Lords Library+1.

Europe & Beyond

• Across the EU, 1,118 wildfires were tracked by early July 2025, up from 716 at the same time last year Reuters+1Reuters+1.
• A staggering 292,855 hectares have burned so far in Europe, over double last year’s total The Guardian+15EU Science Hub+15Wikipedia+15.
• In the Mediterranean, catastrophic summer blazes are widespread: heatwaves above 40 °C have sparked fires in Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Turkey The Times+7AP News+7The Scottish Sun+7.

What’s Driving It

Experts attribute this surge to hotter, drier seasons, drought, heatwaves, and land-use practices, and human activity is responsible for most ignition events Financial Times.

Every Camper Can Help Prevent Wildfires

Whether wild camping or enjoying a family site, your choices matter. Here’s how to camp responsibly:

What to Do

• Check local fire warnings and bans before setting off.
• Use designated fire pits or raised grills, never set fire directly on ground cover.
• Ensure full fire extinguishment: water + stir until ashes are cold.
• Dispose of waste safely: no glass bottles, cigarette butts, or debris left behind.

What to Avoid

• Lighting fires on peatland, dry grass, heath, or woodland edges.
• Discarding burning embers or cigarettes near vegetation.
• Using fire to clear land or burn rubbish.
• Overestimating how quickly smouldering embers die out.

Our Shared Responsibility for Landscapes & Lives

In the UK, wildfires threaten moorlands, woodland ecosystems, peatlands rich in carbon, rural communities, and increasingly, even homes on the wild-land interface The GuardianFinancial Times, House of Lords Library, NFCC, Wikipedia, The TimesCopernicus, EU Science Hub.

Globally, these events are only growing more severe, with wildfire seasons longer and more destructive thanks to warming climates NFCC+15Clean Air Fund+15The Times+15.

At Vango, we believe that responsible camping helps protect both people and planet. Great gear is only part of our commitment, spreading awareness is just as vital.

#CampSafeWithVango
Let’s make our next stop a fire-safe wilderness★. Share this with camping pals and communities to reinforce responsible practice.