Wildfire in Ceredigion: A Wake-Up Call on Climate Crisis, Say Climate Cymru, 350.org, CAT and FBU

A devastating wildfire that raged for four days across Cwm Rheidol in Ceredigion—scarring the land across an area equivalent to 4,000 football pitches—has sparked urgent calls for action from climate groups, firefighters, and sustainability experts. With crews from across mid and west Wales deployed to contain the blaze, campaigners say this is further proof that the climate emergency is no longer a distant threat but a daily reality in Wales.

“This fire is a symptom of a world that’s heating far too fast” Sam Ward, Head of Climate Cymru.

“People are right to be concerned. We’re seeing not just bad luck or a one-off anomaly—it’s climate change. Rising temperatures, prolonged dry spells, and shifting weather patterns are turning our landscapes into tinderboxes. The climate crisis is here, and it’s burning across our hills.”

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that while the cause of the wildfire is officially still “unknown,” increasingly dry and volatile conditions have dramatically raised the risk of these kinds of blazes. Drones and Wildfire Officers assessed the damage across a vast area from Cwm Rheidol to land above Strata Florida near Tregaron.

“Wales is on the frontline of the climate emergency”

Sam continued, “Events like these wildfires are not isolated. They are part of a disturbing trend that threatens our communities, ecosystems, and way of life. We need urgent climate action—locally, nationally, and globally. Done right, climate solutions will not only tackle out-of-control wildfire, but will seriously improve the lives of our communities”

Kim Bryan of 350.org added: “The Welsh Government is implementing forward-thinking plans to tackle the climate emergency, including legally binding net zero targets by 2050 and a commitment to generate 70% of electricity from renewables by 2030. We owe it to our communities,  to our firefighters literally battling on the frontlines, and to future generations to face the full truth of this crisis. That means accelerating the transition to renewables, halting fossil fuel subsidies, and taking bold action to protect our land, air, and water. Wales is making progress—but these fires are a warning that delay will cost lives and livelihoods.”

Rob Bullen from the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) stressed that while governments must lead, individual and community-level action can also play a powerful role:

“We urgently need to power down fossil fuels and power up renewables—and we can start right here in our homes and communities.

Simple, accessible measures like insulating houses, switching to low-carbon heating, and generating local renewable energy not only reduce emissions but make us more resilient to future shocks. This fire is a wake-up call—climate action starts at every level.”

Gareth Tovey, Fire Brigades Union (FBU) executive council member for Wales, said:

“The alarming rise in wildfires this spring is the tip of the iceberg – rising temperatures mean these events will become more common, endangering homes and lives.

“Firefighters are on the front line of the climate crisis, fighting blazes that are growing in frequency and intensity. But since 2010, we have lost one in five firefighter jobs across the UK, and dozens of fire stations have been shut. We need urgent investment if we are going to keep communities safe.

“No amount of mitigation can compensate for truly catastrophic climate change. Firefighters are demanding bold action to address the root cause of the climate crisis.”

Campaigners are calling on Welsh and UK governments to rapidly scale up investment in climate resilience, reduce emissions, and shift away from the fossil fuels that are driving global heating. 

People from across Wales are speaking up. Common land, shared grazing spaces used by already struggling farmers, natural spaces and resources people want to preserve for their children are being destroyed.  

On March 18th Climate Cymru’s Sali Nichols witnessed a fire near Clydach, Swansea. It burnt 50 acres of gorse and was so large it could be seen from the M4. More than 160 emergency calls were made by residents.

“I was shocked to see the fire blaze up above the valley, near the farmlands. Although the fire was far from residential areas, the smell of burning was strong. I called the fire services, but they were already aware of the fire… I have heard that a large area of the land has been completely destroyed by the fire.”

Photograph by: Sali Nichols, Climate Cymru

How they start

​The recent fires in areas such as Ceredigion, Llangollen, Gower, Rhondda and Merthyr valleys can be attributed to a combination of human activities amplified by current environmental conditions.

Environmental Factors:

Prolonged periods of dry and hot weather have made regions in Wales more susceptible to wildfires, and it’s probably not over yet. The Met Office predicts that by 2070, summers could be up to 6°C warmer and 60% drier than they were in 1990, increasing the risk of severe weather events, including wildfires. (​The Guardian) The Met Office has predicted the warm weather will continue this week after Wales recorded its fourth driest March since records began in 1836.

Human Activities:

Deliberate Ignition (by non-land managers): A significant number of wildfires are started intentionally. Research indicates that areas with socio-economic deprivation are more prone to such incidents, with motivations including boredom and rebellion. 

Deliberate ignition by land managers: Fire is a tool sometimes used by land managers to clear unwanted vegetation, with the aim of increasing feed for livestock with the pulse of growth that follows fire. It is more commonly used on Commons. It is often used to tackle bracken and dense inedible grasses – with limited success. Fire is notoriously hard to control – but this is often where the idea of a ‘controlled burn’ comes from.

Accidental Causes: During periods of warm weather, increased outdoor activities can lead to accidental fires from discarded barbecues, broken glass and smoking materials. The prolonged dry conditions make vegetation more susceptible to ignition. ​BBC News

Climate Cymru’s Campaigns Coordinator, David’s Story:

 “I’ve witnessed 4 fires in 10 days.”

“The latest on Mynydd Meio, a common between Caerphilly & trefforest. Starting as a wisp this fire turned into 30ft high flames minutes later, it was startling. A young farmer arrived shortly after, visibly concerned, thankful he’d moved his flock down the hill – but still only in the adjacent field.  The fire flared and ripped through stands of gorse, unpalatable to sheep. Gorse that just a short time ago would have barely made it off the ground as Commoners ponies happily nibbled its fresh shoots. A long dry Spring, making a tinder box of undergrazed hillsides. The days of graziers having mixed livestock (cattle,ponies and sheep), that would break the bracken (and its underground stores) with heavier hooves and eat the dense(and flammable) moor grasses long over; supermarket price slashing, TB, alongside the cost of living among many things pulling farms to only graze sheep.”

Why they spread 

While human activity (both accidental and deliberate) may be the ignition source for many of these fires, the scale and intensity of the damage are being worsened by climate change.

Drier Conditions Mean Higher Fire Risk
Wales has experienced an unusually dry spring, with below-average rainfall creating conditions where vegetation becomes highly flammable. Even if fires start in the same ways they always have (arson, discarded cigarettes, barbecues, etc.), the drier ground and vegetation mean they spread faster and burn more intensely. – https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/news-and-media/media-centre/weather-and-climate-news/2025/a-record-breaking-march-for-sunshine

Warmer Temperatures Make Fires Harder to Control
Higher temperatures dry out plants and soil more quickly, turning landscapes into tinderboxes. Once a fire starts, it is more difficult for natural moisture or rainfall to slow its spread. Fire services have been warning that climate change is making their job harder, as they face more frequent and intense wildfires across the UK. – https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/feb/02/fire-chiefs-warn-uk-not-prepared-climate-crisis-impacts?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Extreme Weather Patterns are Fueling the Problem
Climate change is increasing the unpredictability of weather patterns – Wales has seen periods of intense rainfall followed by prolonged dry spells. This cycle leads to rapid plant growth in wet months, followed by extreme drying out, which increases the amount of flammable material available when temperatures rise.

Increased Fire Incidents and Long-Term Damage
Even if fires have always happened in Wales, they are becoming more frequent and severe. The longer burning times and larger affected areas mean more destruction of wildlife habitats, carbon storage in peatlands being released, and damage to local communities.

What Needs to be Done

Climate Action: Addressing the Root Causes

Restoring and Protecting Peatlands & Woodlands

• There is great work being done showing the benefit of peat restoration, but we urgently need more – with 90% of Welsh peatland in deteriorating condition , (NorthWales https://eryri.gov.wales/discover/landscapes-and-wildlife/peatlands/, South Wales https://www.welshwildlife.org/news/dowrog-common-nature-reserve-peatland-restoration)
• Peatland is the most valuable land resource in Wales as it stores 30% of land-based carbon. Covering about 4% of Wales, it is estimated that 90% of Welsh peatland is in a deteriorating condition and emitting greenhouse gasses that contribute to climate change.
• Wet healthy peatlands act as natural firebreaks, storing water and preventing the spread of fires. However, degraded peatlands release carbon and dry out easily, making fires worse.
• Restoring peatlands and increasing tree cover can help regulate temperature and moisture levels, reducing fire risks.
• Win-win – Peatlands store more than twice as much carbon as the world’s forests do. Peatlands cover just 3% of the world’s surface yet hold nearly 30% of all soil carbon

Tackling Fossil Fuel Emissions & Climate Change

• Wales needs to accelerate efforts to reduce carbon emissions, including transitioning to renewable energy, moving away from fossil fuels, and cutting industrial pollution.
• More extreme weather patterns (droughts, heatwaves) are increasing fire risks, making urgent climate action essential.

Improved Fire Response & Prevention Strategies

• Investing in better wildfire monitoring and response strategies, including early warning systems and firebreaks in high-risk areas. Some of Wales Fire responses teams 
• Ensuring emergency services have the resources they need to deal with more frequent and severe fires.

Education & Community Engagement: Preventing Human-Caused Fires

Public Awareness Campaigns 

• Clear, accessible information on fire risks, particularly during dry periods. I.e. warnings against using disposable barbecues in dry areas, guidance on safely disposing of cigarettes, and advice on controlled burning practices.
• Real-life case studies showing the damage and long-term consequences of wildfires to wildlife, communities, and air quality.
• Supporting rural communities with training on how to prevent and respond to wildfires.

School & Youth Engagement

• Youth-led conservation programs that encourage young people to take ownership of their local environments and understand how to prevent fire risks.
• Incorporating climate change and wildfire risks into lessons in schools.
• Supporting rural communities with training on how to prevent and respond to wildfires.

Targeted Outreach in High-Risk Areas

• Providing alternative activities, education, and engagement opportunities could help shift behaviours and reduce intentional fire-starting.

Resources:

https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/research/wildfires-in-wales-social-drivers-and-mitigation-measures/?utm_source=chatgpt.com