Some of the UK's rarest wildlife is being "torched alive" and pushed closer to extinction after weeks of intense grass fires, conservationists have warned. They include endangered birds like hen harriers and water voles, which are now the UK's fastest declining mammal. The National Trust said it believed ongoing wildfires at Abergwesyn common in Powys had destroyed "the last remaining" local breeding habitat for golden plovers - considered one of the most beautiful birds of the British uplands. So far this year 110 sq miles (284 sq km) of land has been burnt by wildfires around the UK - an area larger than Birmingham. Figures obtained by the BBC show that in Wales, fire crews have battled almost 1,400 wildfires already this year, leading fire services to urge people to "act responsibly" and report any suspicious behaviour to the police. The National Trust said 2025 was "turning out to be the worst year ever for these human-caused fires across the country". "We're extremely worried, this is looking like it's going to be the worst year for seeing our wildlife going up in flames," said Ben McCarthy, the charity's head of nature conservation. A record dry spell and unusually high temperatures in March are believed to have contributed to the fires. A low number of blazes in 2024 also left more vegetation to fuel them. Coed Cadw, the Woodland Trust in Wales, said an "irreplaceable" area of temperate Atlantic rainforest had been affected at Allt Boeth near Aberystwyth, with damage to protected bluebells too. Also known as Celtic rainforest, the habitat harbours scarce plants, lichens and fungi, and is considered more threatened than tropical rainforest. In England, the National Trust said several thousand newly planted trees at Marsden Moor, in West Yorkshire,had gone up in flames. While on the Morne Mountains, in Northern Ireland, invertebrates and ground dwelling animals like reptiles were "simply being torched alive". "That then cascades through the food web because without the invertebrates you don't get the birds who are reliant on them for food," Mr McCarthy said. He said government funding to help farmers and land managers restore peat bogs in the uplands, to prevent fires while also soaking in planet-warming carbon and providing habitat, was essential. Conservation charities including The Wildlife Trusts and the Initiative for Nature Conservation Cymru (INCC) also voiced fears for the future of the water vole, which is already under serious threat from habitat loss and predation by American minks. Small animals like water voles and shrews, which live in burrows, can survive fast-moving fires but their habitats and the food they rely on are destroyed. Water voles are "the fastest-declining mammal ever" according to Rob Parry of the INCC. "Their last foothold [in Wales] is in the uplands so when those sites are burned it is awful for that particular population, but from a UK point of view we are one step closer to the extinction of an entire species," he said. The INCC is also monitoring five breeding pairs of barn owls in the Amman Valley in south Wales, where wildfires have destroyed huge areas of habitat. "A few weeks ago they had all of this area to find food for their chicks and suddenly they don't have that any more," said Mr Parry. "I don't know how they are going to cope. A wildfire just makes that habitat disappear overnight." Other rare birds are also affected, including hen harriers, which have been subject to recent conservation efforts to increase their numbers in the Welsh uplands, and skylarks, which have declined in huge numbers since the 1970s. "We're worried enough as it is about wildlife," said Mr Parry. "We're one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world and wildfires every spring at the worst possible time is a burden that wildlife and the environment just can't cope with." The INCC has called for closer oversight of controlled burns by farmers and better monitoring of the impact of wildfires on the environment. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said wildfires were a "massive issue", particularly in south Wales, where Welsh government figures showed more than half of wildfires in Wales took place last year. Becky Davies, a senior officer at NRW, said: "In the last three days we've had over 75 fires in the south Wales valleys alone. "We have a lot of hillsides that are linear, the valley side has a lot of bracken, a lot of heathland, grassland and coal spoil and that is the sort of hillside that goes up in flames." The environmental impact of wildfires can also be felt more widely. When it rains after a fire, the newly bare soil and the phosphates that were trapped inside it can wash off into streams and rivers, affecting water quality. Numbers of wildfires vary year-on-year depending on when spells of dry weather happen. But figures obtained by the BBC show that in south Wales, grassfires have increased by 1,200% from the same time period last year. From 1 January to 10 April 2024, there were 34 wildfires in the region, whereas there were 445 over the same dates in 2025. In north Wales, crews have attended 170 fires this year, and Mid Wales Fire and Rescue said it had tackled 772 blazes. Wildfires are also up in England and Northern Ireland compared to last year, while the fire service in Scotland has issued anextreme wildfire alertcovering the whole country. Statistics show the majority of wildfires are started deliberately, but they can also be ignited from disposable BBQs or controlled burns that get out of hand. In south Wales, firefighters are going to primary schools to teach children from a young age about the devastating impact. At Pontnewydd Primary School in Cwmbran, staff from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Gwent Police brought along animals like snakes, hedgehogs and foxes for children to meet. Station manager Mark Bowditch said his crews saw the damage to wildlife from wildfires first-hand. "We see the death of local wildlife, we see the destruction of their habitat," he said. "We accept that some fires can be accidental, but deliberate fire setting is a crime and that's the message we'd like to get out." Additional reporting by Dylan Greene. Sign up for our Future Earth newsletterto keep up with the latest climate and environment stories with the BBC's Justin Rowlatt. Outside the UK?Sign up to our international newsletter here.
UK's rarest wildlife being 'pushed to extinction' by grass fires
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Conservationists Warn of Extinction Threat to UK's Rare Wildlife Due to Grass Fires"
Bbc News
6.5
TruthLens AI Summary
Conservationists have raised alarms over the devastating impact of recent grass fires on some of the UK's rarest wildlife, warning that these events are pushing species closer to extinction. Among the most affected are endangered birds such as hen harriers and water voles, the latter being recognized as the UK's fastest declining mammal. The National Trust reported that wildfires at Abergwesyn common in Powys have likely destroyed the last breeding habitat for golden plovers, a bird celebrated for its beauty in the British uplands. So far, 110 square miles of land have been scorched by wildfires across the UK this year, an area exceeding the size of Birmingham. In Wales alone, fire crews have fought nearly 1,400 wildfires in 2025, prompting authorities to call for public responsibility and reporting of suspicious activities. Experts warn that if this trend continues, it could lead to catastrophic losses for wildlife, with Ben McCarthy of the National Trust stating that 2025 is shaping up to be the worst year for human-caused fires in the country.
The environmental repercussions of these wildfires extend beyond immediate destruction. In regions like Allt Boeth near Aberystwyth, irreplaceable temperate Atlantic rainforest has been damaged, affecting unique flora and fauna. The Woodland Trust highlights that these habitats, which are more threatened than tropical rainforests, are crucial for biodiversity. The fires have also devastated thousands of newly planted trees in West Yorkshire and severely impacted breeding pairs of barn owls in the Amman Valley. The Initiative for Nature Conservation Cymru (INCC) has expressed concern for water voles, already threatened by habitat loss and predation. With their habitats destroyed, these small mammals face dire consequences, potentially leading to their extinction. The INCC has called for enhanced oversight of controlled burns and better monitoring of wildfire impacts, as the frequency of wildfires continues to rise dramatically. Recent statistics reveal a staggering 1,200% increase in grassfires in south Wales compared to the previous year, emphasizing the urgent need for effective fire management and public education to protect vulnerable wildlife populations.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The report highlights the alarming situation of rare wildlife in the UK, emphasizing the severe impact of ongoing grass fires on endangered species. Conservationists are sounding the alarm as they describe the devastating effects of these fires, noting that they are pushing certain species closer to extinction. This situation draws attention to the broader environmental issues at play, including climate change and human negligence.
Purpose of the Article
The article aims to raise awareness about the plight of endangered species in the UK, particularly in the context of increasing human-induced wildfires. By detailing the destruction of habitats and the direct impact on wildlife, it seeks to mobilize public sentiment and encourage responsible behavior regarding fire safety.
Public Perception
The report is likely designed to provoke concern and urgency among readers about environmental conservation. It paints a dire picture of the consequences of neglecting ecological responsibilities, which may foster a sense of collective accountability among the public. The vivid imagery of animals being "torched alive" is a strong emotional appeal meant to elicit sympathy and action.
Information Omission
While the article focuses on the immediate crisis of wildlife endangerment due to fires, it may not provide a comprehensive view of the underlying causes, such as broader environmental policies, land management practices, or historical data on wildlife populations. This selective focus could be seen as a way to steer public discourse towards specific actions without addressing systemic issues.
Manipulative Nature
The article's manipulative potential lies in its emotional language and vivid descriptions, which serve to heighten the sense of urgency and distress. The choice of words like "torched alive" aims to create a visceral reaction, possibly overshadowing a more nuanced discussion about the complexities of wildlife conservation and environmental policies.
Truthfulness of the Report
The report appears credible, as it references specific data and quotes from conservation organizations like the National Trust. However, the emotional framing may lead to biases in how the information is perceived, emphasizing the need for critical engagement with the material.
Societal Implications
The repercussions of this report could lead to increased public pressure on policymakers to implement stricter regulations regarding land management and fire safety. It may also galvanize community action towards preserving natural habitats, enhancing conservation efforts, and promoting responsible recreational practices.
Target Audience
The article likely resonates with environmentalists, wildlife advocates, and the general public concerned about ecological issues. Its emotive content is designed to engage those who are already sympathetic to conservation causes while also reaching out to those who may not have previously considered the implications of human actions on wildlife.
Market Impact
While the immediate economic implications may not be clear, increased awareness about environmental issues like these could influence certain sectors, such as eco-tourism and conservation-related industries. Companies involved in sustainable practices may see a rise in interest and investment as public consciousness shifts.
Global Significance
This report contributes to the ongoing discourse about climate change and biodiversity loss on a global scale. It ties into larger narratives about environmental degradation and the urgent need for collective action, aligning with contemporary debates on sustainability and conservation.
Artificial Intelligence Involvement
It's possible that AI tools may have been used in drafting or editing the article, particularly in data analysis or trend identification. However, the emotional framing and narrative style suggest a human touch in the crafting of the message. If AI were involved, it could have shaped the urgency of the content, directing focus towards alarming aspects of the wildlife crisis. In conclusion, this report serves as a crucial wake-up call about the intersection of human activity and environmental preservation, highlighting urgent issues that require both immediate and long-term action.