Climate & safety
Wildfire Risk in Oxfordshire
As summers grow hotter and drier, the risk of wildfires in and around Banbury is rising. Understanding the threat — and how to respond — could save lives.
If you see a wildfire — call 999 immediately. Do not attempt to fight it yourself.
A growing threat on our doorstep
Wildfires are no longer a distant phenomenon. In recent years, the UK has experienced record-breaking summer temperatures, prolonged droughts, and devastating grass and heathland fires that have reached the edges of towns and cities. Oxfordshire is not immune.
As your county councillor, I want to set out clearly what the wildfire risk looks like for Banbury and the surrounding area, who is most at risk, and what residents, landowners, and local organisations can do to reduce that risk and respond effectively when fires do break out.
Oxfordshire County Council's Fire and Rescue Service is urging residents to take precautions to protect the countryside and built areas from wildfires, following several major grassland fires in recent summers.
Wildfires are destructive and can be deadly
Dial 999
Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue
Recent major wildfires in Oxfordshire
Each of the following incidents involved a fire covering at least 10,000 square metres. Fire crews also tackled numerous smaller fires that could have escalated if not extinguished promptly.
4
major wildfires
2025
3
major wildfires
2024
7
major wildfires
2023
Figures reported by Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service.
Why the risk is rising
What makes wildfires more likely
Several converging factors are increasing wildfire risk across the UK, including in Oxfordshire.
Hotter, drier summers
Climate change is driving longer heatwaves and reduced summer rainfall. Dry vegetation becomes highly combustible, and even a small ignition source can start a rapidly spreading fire.
Strong winds
Wind accelerates fire spread dramatically. Fires can travel faster than a person can run in high winds, jumping roads, hedgerows, and firebreaks with ease.
Dry grassland and scrub
The fields, verges, and open spaces around Banbury contain large areas of dry grass and scrub that act as fuel. After a dry spring or summer, these areas become extremely fire-prone.
Human ignition
The vast majority of wildfires are started by human activity — discarded cigarettes, disposable barbecues, campfires, and deliberate arson. Public behaviour is the single most controllable risk factor.
What wildfires do
The consequences of wildfire
Threat to life
Wildfires can spread faster than people can escape, particularly in open countryside. Smoke inhalation is a serious risk even at distance from the fire front.
Property damage
Homes, outbuildings, vehicles, and agricultural infrastructure can be destroyed. Insurance claims following major wildfires run into millions of pounds.
Ecological destruction
Wildfires destroy habitats, kill wildlife, and can set back decades of conservation work in a matter of hours. Recovery of affected land can take years.
Air quality
Wildfire smoke contains fine particulates and toxic compounds that are harmful to respiratory health, particularly for children, the elderly, and those with lung conditions.
Pressure on emergency services
Large wildfires require significant fire service resources, potentially drawing crews away from other emergencies across the county.
Economic impact
Damage to farmland, livestock, and rural businesses can be severe and long-lasting, with knock-on effects for the local economy.
What you can do
Reducing wildfire risk
Most wildfires are preventable. Oxfordshire County Council's Fire and Rescue Service recommends these steps — they make a real difference.
General countryside safety
- Never use disposable barbecues in parks, fields, or open countryside
- Do not discard cigarette ends — including leaving them on car surfaces
- Take all litter home, especially glass bottles, which can ignite dry grass when heated by the sun
- Never light campfires in dry conditions or without landowner permission
- Report any fire or suspicious activity to 999 immediately
Barbecue safety
- Ensure the barbecue is in proper working order and follow the manufacturer's instructions
- Check all gas pipes and connections for safety before use
- Place the barbecue on a stable, non-flammable surface, away from anything that could catch fire
- Never leave a lit barbecue unattended
- Turn off gas cylinders after use
- Wait at least 24 hours before disposing of charcoal or coals in a bin
Gardening & bonfire safety
- Keep any fire at least 18 metres away from houses, trees, hedges, fences, and sheds
- Bonfires should be no taller than three metres
- Have buckets of water or a hose ready before lighting
- After burning, spray embers thoroughly and continue monitoring to prevent re-ignition
Landowners & farmers
- Maintain firebreaks and clear dry vegetation from around buildings
- Ensure farm tracks are accessible to fire service vehicles
- Store hay, straw, and combustible materials away from buildings
- Have a farm fire plan and share it with staff and neighbours
Homeowners near open land
- Keep grass short and clear dry debris from gutters and around the property
- Know your evacuation route and have an emergency plan for your household
- Keep a garden hose accessible and know how to use it safely
If you see a wildfire — call 999 immediately. Do not attempt to fight it yourself.
If you see a wildfire
- Call 999 immediately — do not assume someone else has already called
- Do not attempt to fight the fire yourself — leave the area at once
- Move upwind and uphill away from the fire front
- Close windows and doors if sheltering indoors and seal gaps with wet towels
- Follow instructions from the fire service and do not return until told it is safe
Councillor's view
Why this matters for Banbury
Wildfire risk is not something we can afford to treat as someone else's problem. The combination of climate change, dry summers, and the open countryside surrounding Banbury means this is a real and growing threat. I am pressing Oxfordshire County Council to ensure that fire service resources, land management guidance, and public awareness campaigns reflect this changing risk. I will continue to raise this issue at county level and work with local landowners, farmers, and community groups to reduce the risk on our doorstep.
If you see a wildfire — call 999 immediately. Do not attempt to fight it yourself.