The government has snubbed a compensation campaign for farmers and businesses affected by wildfires across the North York Moors last summer – as it awards the national park more than £3m to restore landscapes.
The North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum (NYLRF) – made up of local emergency services, local authorities, businesses and voluntary organisations – had argued that had the emergency been a flooding incident, a government framework would have made funding available to help people and businesses recover.
It has been preparing the case for compensation since November and found out recently it had been turned down.
However, a spokesperson for the NYLRF said: “Our position has always been that, had this been a flooding incident, a government framework would have unlocked funds, and we have, and will continue to make the case for wildfires to be treated in the same way.”
Alison Hume, MP for Scarborough and Whitby, said she was disappointed and it was a case if when, not if, the moors will be affected by wildfires again.
She said: “I will keep working on this so that the next time, and there unfortunately will be a next time, there’s a wildfire there is a recovery grant scheme in place for businesses and farmers.”
Meanwhile, it was announced today that Defra is providing up to £3.2m to the North York Moors National Park Authority (NYMNPA) to restore moorland and peatland.
The funding will repair 17 kilometres of firebreaks dug to contain the blaze, stabilise damaged slopes, restore key peatland species such as sphagnum moss and reinstate public rights of way across the moor.
Nature Minister Mary Creagh said: “The Fylingdales wildfire was an unprecedented event that caused serious and lasting damage to one of England’s most treasured landscapes. This funding will help bring the moorland back to life – restoring the deep peat that stores carbon, supports rare wildlife, and protects communities downstream.
“Resilient, rewetted peatland is our best natural defence against wildfires in the future, and I am determined that this landscape recovers stronger than before.”
NYMNPA is working with Natural England, Historic England, the Strickland Estate, the Duchy of Lancaster Estate, the Fyling Court Leet and Fylingdales Moor ESS Ltd, to oversee recovery and ensure work is carefully coordinated.
Forestry England has also begun a targeted programme of work to restore firebreaks, rehabilitate damaged forest environments, and recover sensitive conservation areas affected by the wildfire.
It was within Forestry England managed land, Langdale Forest, where the fire broke out. The cause has since been confirmed as being cooking with a campfire or gas burner.
North York Moors National Park Authority CEO Tom Hind said the organisation was indebted to farmers, land managers and the fire service for their work in eventually stopping the blaze which burned for more than a month across ten square miles.
He said: “Last year’s wildfire brought home the increasing risks that wildfire poses. It took a monumental team effort from fire and rescue services, local farmers and land managers and local agencies to extinguish and we remain indebted to them for their commitment.
“Fylingdales Moor is home to a wide variety of rare and precious habitats and wildlife and it’s vital that we not only restore these habitats but build in long-term resilience to climate change. This funding is a significant step forward in helping us address the long-term impacts of the Fylingdales Moor wildfire and we’re grateful to Government for recognising both the scale of the damage and the importance of restoring this nationally significant landscape.
“This investment will enable us to begin repairing the extensive firebreaks that were created to contain the blaze, re-establishing peatland habitats, stabilising vulnerable areas and creating a landscape that is better able to withstand the challenges posed by a changing climate.”
The government funding will complement additional match funding associated with Anglo American’s Woodsmith and ICL’s Boulby mines, which will support habitat restoration within the wider recovery programme, alongside contributions secured from York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.
The NYMNPA is also leading a partnership, with North Yorkshire Council, Forestry England, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, to deliver a focused awareness campaign this summer on human actions that could result in wildfire.
The ‘Don’t Spark Disaster’ campaign, features impactful educational messages to remind potential visitors and residents that a small action or a tiny object can be a cause of fire.
