Farm fires caused an estimated £150m of damage across the UK in 2025, more than £400,000 a day, as hot, dry weather raised the risk to crops, buildings and machinery, according to NFU Mutual's latest Farm Fires report.
Fires involving crops, buildings and farm equipment rose 18% to £118m, and agricultural vehicle fires cost another £32m, led by tractors at £16.1m and combine harvesters at £4.8m. The main known causes were arson, lightning and electrical faults. The east of England had the highest costs, nearly tripling from £8.7m to £23.9m, followed by the South West at £18.2m and the North East at £16.3m; Northern Ireland rose 73% to £11.8m.
Hannah Binns, NFU Mutual's rural affairs specialist, said record heat and sunshine in 2025 and further long hot, dry spells in 2026 had left the countryside facing an unprecedented fire risk, especially at harvest. "Prevention cannot fall to farmers alone," she said. NFU vice-president Robyn Munt said rural fire services need enough funding and the right vehicles, and urged councils to use orders banning barbecues and campfires when the risk is high. The two organisations also want better access to on-farm water and a national wildfire strategy.
In one case in the report, 51 acres of winter wheat near Guildford, Surrey, burned in July 2025 after a suspected spark from a combine; about 80% of the standing crop was gone within 30 minutes, driven by a strong wind. Farmer Jim Simmons said no one was hurt and insurance paid out.
NFU Mutual's advice to farmers: have a fire plan everyone on site knows; keep electrics maintained; control hot work such as welding and grinding; keep suppression systems and water bowsers ready; and clear dust and debris, especially from machinery. It offers insurance discounts for accredited fire suppression systems fitted to combines.
Photo: Judd McCullum / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Source: Farmers Weekly
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