Whole ecosystems ‘decimated’ by huge rise in UK wildfires

**Summary:** - **Wildfire Impact:** Recent UK wildfires have decimated ecosystems and endangered species such as butterflies, beetles, falcons, and golden plovers. Some habitats may take hundreds of years to recover. - **Scale of Fires:** In Wales, the number of wildfire callouts has increased by 1,200% compared to last year. Across Wales, fire services have responded to over 1,300 grass fires this year. Notable affected areas include Abergwesyn Common in Powys and Howden Moor in the Peak District. - **Conservation Efforts:** The National Trust is adapting landscapes by making them wetter and boggier to mitigate fire risks, but they stress that urgent government action is needed to cope with climate change and increased demand on fire services. - **Climate Crisis:** WWF Cymru describes the wildfires as a stark reminder of the ongoing climate and nature crisis. The National Fire Chiefs Council has also called for sustained investment to handle the increasing demands on their services due to climate change.