The UK government announced on 22 October 2026 that RAF Chinook helicopters and A400M aircraft will be equipped to fight fires, ready when requested to support crews tackling blazes on remote moorland, steep hillsides and other hard-to-reach terrain. The Ministry of Defence will develop a permanently UK-based aerial firefighting capability for the first time, while civilian fire and rescue services across all four nations can continue to request support through the Military Aid to the Civil Authorities process.

Front-line firefighters in England will receive additional specialist wildfire teams and lightweight, breathable protective equipment designed for prolonged use, backed by up to £45 million. A further £25 million will restore dried-out peatlands in England so they hold more water and act as natural firebreaks, alongside financial support for farmers to fireproof land. The government said it will also consider tougher local restrictions or product bans when fire risk is high.

Other measures include a new Wildfires AI Unit in COBR’s National Situation Centre, work with the Met Office on forecasting, and development of England’s first Wildfire Action Plan. The Peatland Restoration Grant Scheme, run by Natural England, is expected to run from April 2027 to April 2029. The announcements preceded a summit that day attended by fire chiefs, experts and companies including Airbus, Google and VodafoneThree.