A SCOTTISH council has called for "urgent action" from the Scottish and UK governments to address the growing threat of wildfires, with a proposal for a "wildfire summit".
Moray Council has today passed a motion which includes the intention to create a multi-agency wildfire summit in spring 2026.
The motion, brought forward by council leader Kathleen Robertson, and seconded by councillor Draeyk van der Horn, highlighted the unprecedented scale of wildfires in Moray over the summer, including the historic Dava Moor blaze – the largest ever recorded in Scotland – and the major fire at Culbin Forest.
The council commended the swift and co-ordinated response from emergency services, landowners, estate workers, farmers, crofters and local communities, and acknowledged the shared risk across Moray’s beaches, forestry and moorland.
As part of the motion, Moray Council said it will:
- Raise the issue with the community planning partnership in November.
- Propose a multi-agency wildfire summit in Spring 2026.
- Explore the development of local wildfire management byelaws.
- Collaborate with the Cairngorms National Park authority to learn from its integrated wildfire management plan.
- Write to the Scottish and UK governments seeking legislative and financial support for wildfire prevention and resilience.
Robertson said: “This summer has been a wake-up call. The scale and intensity of wildfires in Moray are unlike anything we’ve seen before. Our communities, landscapes and emergency responders have been stretched to their limits. We must act now – not just locally, but nationally – to ensure we’re prepared for what is clearly a growing threat to our region. Moray Council is committed to working with partners to develop a robust wildfire strategy.”
Van der Horn said: “Wildfires are no longer rare events; they are a growing consequence of climate breakdown. We must rethink how we manage our land, educate the public and support our emergency services."
On the summit, van der Horn said an event to "explore" every option, whether through byelaws, training or awareness campaigns, would be a valuable step forward.
The councillor added: "I hope all partners will join in writing to the UK and Scottish governments to call for concerted action, because we are, after all, in this together.
"This motion is about protecting our people, our environment, and our future, and about recognising the need for action at every level of government.”
