Drought: Wildfire Risk

Summer 2026 has been one of the hottest and driest on record in the UK, and Scilly has not escaped from the challenges associated with this. This blog post is one of a series exploring the impacts that the drought has had so far across the islands.

Our National Landscapes and the natural beauty they hold play a huge role in the reason people love visiting and calling Scilly home.

The islands are protected by many statutory designations; including 26 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). These highlight areas with particular interest to science, due to being home to vulnerable and rare species.

The unique landscape of Scilly is home to several species not found anywhere else in the UK, such as the least adders-tongue fern, which are significant to our landscape. However, prologued drought has potential to disrupt growing and development cycles for plants and wildlife.    

Ongoing lack of rain deprives grounds and vegetation of moisture. This made the risk of wildfires in Scilly over the last few months increasing high. Wildfires can start very easily in these conditions, even from a tiny spark.

After a long dry spell, we have recently seen small amounts of rainfall, which have been welcomed. However we still need to remain vigilant. Whilst enjoy our coastline, please be aware of the risks heat has and is having on our environment.

You can help us protect our island's natural beauty by following this advice:

• Don't use disposable barbeques or have bonfires anywhere on Scilly, including on beaches.

• Take home glass bottles, as they pose a fire risk by magnification to dry habitats.

• Use extreme caution with naked flames and safely dispose of cigarettes.

• Notify the Fire Service if you are planning a controlled burn on your farm.

• Avoid all other types of exposed flame wherever possible and keep flames away from vegetation.