Prince William warns of increasing wildfire risks in the UK

Prince William visited Treherbert in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, to meet with fire crews and community members following a major mountain fire in August.

The Prince of Wales spoke about the growing threat of wildfires in the United Kingdom caused by climate change. He urged the country to treat these fires with the same level of seriousness as other nations on the continent. The Prince of Wales noted a lack of firefighting aircraft in the UK.

He recalled his own experience as a captain flying Sea King helicopters for search and rescue and suggested that the government needs to prioritize recreating aerial assets to fight fires. He highlighted that the scale of wildfires in the country became a major concern for him during the summer of 2026. Firefighters and residents shared how they managed the recent crisis.

The South Wales Fire and Rescue Service responded to 14 simultaneous wildfires in August, requiring support from 22 other fire services and 200 members of the Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment. Soldiers helped dig fire breaks and supplied 2.1 million litres of water to douse the flames. Community members in Treherbert provided significant support by keeping a local community centre open 24 hours a day to serve as a control hub.

Volunteers and local businesses provided food and resources while fire crews worked in extreme heat. The Prince of Wales acknowledged that the community's cooperation helped the fire service focus on controlling the blaze.