Scotland fire officials are hoping to stop a repeat of the country’s historically active 2025 wildfire season with a list of immediate actions in a new “Strategic Action Plan.”

The country is still recovering from the environmental damage caused in last year’s 241 fires, the most ever recorded in that nation’s history, according to the Scottish Wildfire Forum. Scotland also recorded its largest-ever single wildfire in 2025 – the Dava Fire that burned nearly 10,000 hectares (24,000 acres) to become the largest wildfire in the United Kingdom’s history.

In response to the historic fire year, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the nation’s lawmakers developed the new plan that focuses on building up the country’s wildfire preparedness, planning and response for the 2026 season and beyond.

The plan’s key actions include:

• Investing in new wildfire units, vehicles, equipment and specialist capabilities
• Reviewing helicopter protocols and strengthening aerial support during wildfire risk periods
• Creating new fire prevention bylaws in national parks and on private land
• Enhancing local and regional Incident Response Plans
• Strengthening multi-agency training
• Increasing wildfire mitigation education and engagement

“This plan sets out decisive, practical and evidence‑based actions to improve public awareness, strengthen prevention and preparedness, enhance our wildfire warning systems, and ensure a coordinated, multi‑agency response,” the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said on its website.

“Through this Action Plan, we reaffirm our collective responsibility: government, public bodies, land managers, communities and individuals all have a part to play in reducing wildfire risks and protecting our natural environment for future generations. Working together, we can improve Scotland’s resilience and ensure we are better prepared for the challenges the changing climate will continue to bring.”

More than one million hectares were burnt by wildfires across Europe in 2025, marking the highest burned area total in the region since record keeping began two decades ago, according to the EU’s European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS). The total surpassed the EU’s previous peak recorded in 2017, with the vast majority of burned land happening in the Iberian Peninsula after August 5.

Click here to read Scotland’s full strategic action plan for wildfires.