UK fire chiefs warn water shortages threaten wildfire response

MPs told record drought left firefighters struggling for water during this summer’s blazes

By LineZotpaper

Published21 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Fire chiefs have warned MPs that the UK’s ability to fight wildfires is being undermined by water shortages, after a record summer of drought and heat forced emergency services to change their response plans.

Appearing before the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) committee, Phil Garrigan, chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), said concerns about water availability had grown over his 37-year career. During a wildfire in Stourbridge, replenishing a water carrier took almost 40 minutes because of reduced mains pressure. Similar challenges were reported during a major blaze in the New Forest.

Fire services draw water from mains supplies and open sources such as lakes and rivers. With the drought depleting the latter, services faced a difficult choice between drawing water for fires and preserving supply for paying customers. Dave Swallow, the NFCC’s deputy lead on wildfires, told MPs that crews are having to wait longer for resources or find alternative methods.

An NFCC survey found that 81% of fire and rescue services in the UK had changed their emergency response plans because of concerns about access to water.

The EFRA committee has called on the government to establish a statutory framework setting out water companies’ responsibilities during major incidents, including minimum requirements for supply, pressure and communication. “Water companies must be relied upon for adequate supply,” said committee chair Alistair Carmichael.

A government spokesperson said improving wildfire preparedness is a major priority, noting that a summit with ministers and fire service leaders is being held this week, followed by a government-funded wildfire conference in Leeds in November. The Environment Agency has warned that without action, the public water supply could face a shortfall of 5 billion litres a day by 2055.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The UK’s wildfire risk is growing, raising the stakes for water infrastructure that was not designed for climate breakdown.
A statutory framework would formalise water companies’ duties, potentially affecting investment priorities and household bills.
The outcome of this debate will set a precedent for how other countries balance environmental emergency response with utility regulation.

Background

The UK is experiencing a clear upward trend in wildfires, driven by hotter, drier summers. This year’s record heat was accompanied by severe drought declarations in six English regions. The Environment Agency has projected a significant gap between water supply and demand by the 2050s. Currently, the relationship between fire services and water companies relies on operational agreements rather than legal obligation.

Key Perspectives

Fire chiefs (NFCC): Alarmed by the decline in available water. They want statutory guarantees of water supply for firefighting, arguing that competition from domestic and commercial demand is hampering their operational effectiveness. Government and MPs (EFRA committee): The committee favours a legally enforceable framework to ensure water companies provide adequate supply during emergencies. The government acknowledges the risk and is convening forums to find solutions, but has not yet committed to legislation.

What to Watch

Whether this week’s government summit produces a concrete action plan.
The November wildfire conference for more detailed proposals from stakeholders.
The government’s formal response to the EFRA committee’s recommendation for a statutory framework.

Sources

Firefighters voice growing concerns over water supplies to tackle UK wildfires · UK news | The Guardian

Checked

9 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 4 supported.

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SupportedFire chiefs warn that water shortages threaten the UK’s wildfire response.UK news | The Guardian: “Concerns have been raised about how drought affects the UK’s ability to cope with wildfires after MPs were told firefighters struggled for water supplies during this year’s record summer.”
Partly supportedMPs were told a record drought left firefighters struggling for water during this summer’s blazes.UK news | The Guardian: “MPs were told firefighters struggled for water supplies during this year’s record summer.”
Partly supportedA record summer of drought and heat forced emergency services to change their wildfire response plans.UK news | The Guardian: “A survey of UK fire and rescue services in the summer found that 81% of respondents had changed their emergency response plans in areas where access to water was a concern.”
SupportedThe committee chair said, “Water companies must be relied upon for adequate supply.”UK news | The Guardian: ““Water companies must be relied upon for adequate supply,” the committee chair, Alistair Carmichael of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, said.”
Partly supportedAn NFCC survey found that 81% of UK fire and rescue services changed their plans because of concerns about water access.UK news | The Guardian: “A survey of UK fire and rescue services in the summer found that 81% of respondents had changed their emergency response plans in areas where access to water was a concern.”
SupportedReplenishing a water carrier during a Stourbridge wildfire took almost 40 minutes because of reduced water pressure.UK news | The Guardian: “During a wildfire in Stourbridge in the West Midlands that destroyed several homes, replenishing a water carrier took almost 40 minutes because of reduced water pressure.”
Partly supportedWater supply was a challenge during a major blaze in the New Forest.UK news | The Guardian: “In tackling a separate wildfire in the New Forest in August, the fire service said maintaining water supply had been a significant challenge.”
SupportedThe EFRA committee called on the government to set a statutory framework for water companies’ responsibilities during major fire incidents.UK news | The Guardian: “It said the government should establish a statutory framework and national protocol setting out water companies’ responsibilities during major fire incidents, including minimum expectations for water supply and pressure, communication and operational coordination with fire and rescue.”
Partly supportedThe Environment Agency warned that the public water supply could face a shortfall of 5 billion litres a day by 2055 without action.UK news | The Guardian: “the Environment Agency estimates that England’s public water supply could be short by 5bn litres a day by 2055 without urgent action to future-proof resources.”