Thousands of hectares of precious moorland and peatland in the North York Moors National Park are to be restored following the unprecedented Fylingdales wildfire of summer 2025, helping to better protect nearby communities, homes and critical infrastructure from future fires by slowing their spread and reducing flood risk.

The government is providing up to £3.2 million to the North York Moors National Park Authority through the Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme. The funding will repair 17 kilometres of firebreaks dug to contain the blaze, stabilise damaged slopes, restore key peatland species such as sphagnum moss and reinstate public rights of way across the moor.

The Fylingdales wildfire burned for over six weeks between August and September 2025 and was declared a national incident due to its proximity to critical national infrastructure. At its peak, the fire measured around 20 square kilometres and roads in the area were closed due to smoke and to allow emergency access. The official Fire and Rescue Service report, published earlier this year, indicated the fire began from a campfire and spread undetected through deep peat, causing widespread damage to biodiversity and the wider landscape.