UK push to map, predict and prevent wildfires after a severe summer

Wildfires scarred the New Forest, south Wales and Stourbridge as hotter summers dry fuel. Investigators read scorch patterns and debris to trace a fire’s path to its origin; Andy Elliott, the UK’s only serving fire officer with specialist wildfire-origin training, said they may find matches or fireworks on hands and knees. A 2023 Forestry Commission report said probable causes are often logged by staff without specialist training, leaving accuracy open to scrutiny.