Moray Council calls for national action on wildfire risk following devastating summer fires
Moray Council has today passed a Notice of Motion calling for urgent action to address the growing threat of wildfires across the region and beyond.
The motion, brought forward by Council Leader, Cllr Kathleen Robertson, and seconded by Cllr Draeyk van der Horn, highlights the unprecedented scale of wildfires in Moray during the summer of 2025, 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 coordinated 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 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 their Integrated Wildfire Management Plan.
- Write to the Scottish and UK Governments seeking legislative and financial support for wildfire prevention and resilience.
Moray Council Leader and Chair of the Community Planning Board, Cllr Kathleen 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.”
Councillor Draeyk van der Horn added: “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. A summit that explores every option, whether through byelaws, training, or awareness campaigns would be a valuable step forward. 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.”
It is proposed that the Community Planning Board’s letter to the Scottish and UK Governments will call for a national wildfire prevention campaign, investment in community preparedness, and a review of high-risk land management practices. Moray Council will urge both governments to respond decisively.