A few days ago, Andy Burnham convened a Wildfire Summit to address the UK’s growing wildfire risk, in the face of climate change.
At the same time, I found myself in the New Forest. I had wildfires on my mind, having just written an article for Philosophical Magazine about how nature-based solutions lessen the risk of fires (and drought, and flooding).
I stumbled across an example of one of the very things I’d written about – how ponies and other free-roaming animals create and maintain firebreaks in wild landscapes. I couldn’t resist filming it.
Fires destroyed more than 1 sq km (247 acres) of the New Forest this summer. The clean-up bill is estimated at £600,000 – but that’s arguably nothing compared to the loss of habitat and life, especially reptiles and ground-nesting birds.
The summit committed £25 million, promising military aerial firefighting capability, peatland restoration and financial support for farmers. I’m pleased to see that nature-based solutions are included.
What’s more, I hear that 12 stallions have been released into the New Forest this year – almost double the six or seven usually released. Whatever the reason, it’s good to think that the forest’s population of equine firefighters is being protected.
Read my article: Rewilding vs Wildfires: What Does the Science Say? - Philosophical Magazine
Read about the wildfire summit: Andy Burnham hosts wildfire summit to build resilience ‘for next time’
Wild ponies in the New Forest. Credit: Anna Ford