Press release: Cause of Langdale/Fylingdales Moor Fire released
Released 1pm 26th Feb 2026
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has concluded an in-depth fire investigation into the Fylingdales Moor wildfire.
Following extensive enquiries, including the taking of witness statements, the review of footage and videos, detailed inspection of the site and analysis of fire patterns, the cause of the fire is believed to be cooking using a naked flame, such as a campfire or gas burner.
The fire was declared a major incident on 13 August due to its proximity to Critical National Infrastructure. At its peak on 25 August, it covered an area of up to 25km². Firefighters worked for a prolonged period in extremely challenging conditions to bring the incident under control.
The incident was particularly complex due to the location and nature of the site. The fire occurred in a very remote area of moorland with limited water supplies and difficult access for emergency resources. Prolonged hot, dry weather and strong winds also contributed to the scale and behaviour of the fire.
The area had historically been used as a military training range, meaning unexploded ordnance was present.
During the incident, around 20 ‘cook-offs’ occurred, triggered by temperatures exceeding 600 degrees. This required fire crews to adapt their tactics and work closely with partner agencies to ensure the safety of everyone involved.
CFO Jonathan Dyson said: “The Fylingdales Moor fire was one of the most complex multi-agency incidents the Service has ever attended. I would like to once again thank local communities, farmers, gamekeepers and our colleagues from other fire and rescue services for the vital support they gave us.
“The fact that this fire is believed to have been started by cooking using a naked flame, such as a campfire or gas burner, is a stark reminder of how quickly wildfires can take hold, particularly in hot, dry and windy conditions. Moorland, forestry and rural environments are extremely vulnerable, and even small flames can have devastating consequences. I urge everyone who visits the countryside to follow safety advice to help prevent further wildfires and protect our landscapes, including respecting restrictions on camping and lighting barbecues/ campfires, taking litter home and carefully disposing of smoking materials.”
“In response to this incident, we are reviewing and strengthening our wildfire provision. This includes increasing the number of specialist wildfire teams, enhancing our equipment, vehicles and protective clothing, and putting formal agreements in place with partner organisations to support us during major incidents. We are also progressing work to improve our ability to deliver large volumes of water at wildfire incidents.”
ENDS
