UK Wildfires Force National Trust to Close Roads on Shropshire’s Long Mynd

The National Trust has shut vehicle access to several routes on the Long Mynd in Shropshire after a wildfire broke out on Sunday, July 19, 2026, as fire services across the UK battle multiple large-scale blazes on moorlands and in national parks during a period of sustained heat and dry weather.

Access Restrictions in Shropshire

National Trust officials closed snow gates on key routes including the Burway, Ratlinghope, and Asterton Bank after a fire at Pole Bank affected approximately 800 square metres of gorse and peat. While the gates are closed to vehicle traffic, they remain unlocked, and the public can still access the site on foot.

Area manager Patrick Edwards described the situation as “incredibly tense”, noting that the 5,000-acre upland heathland — a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) — remains highly vulnerable. Three fire crews responded to the initial blaze at around 16:40 BST on July 19. Countryside manager Dominic Bowyer warned that the landscape is at high risk due to the lack of moisture, and the trust has increased evening patrols and installed signage prohibiting barbecues and campfires.

Prolonged Operations on Northern Moors

In Derbyshire, a major wildfire on Tintwistle Moor near Glossop has remained active for nearly four weeks as of July 20, 2026. The response has scaled significantly, with 65 firefighters, 15 mountain rescue personnel, and 10 staff from United Utilities operating on the scene.

Emergency services are using four helicopters to conduct water drops over flare-ups in the Crowden and Arnfield areas. Authorities have closed the A628 Woodhead Pass until at least July 24 and have implemented airspace restrictions, including a ban on drones, to allow for unimpeded aerial firefighting efforts.

In the Cairngorms National Park, a wildfire near Glenmore has entered its sixth day. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) reported significant progress on July 20, noting that the six-square-kilometre area of heather and trees is now largely surrounded, though an exclusion zone remains in place. Six fire appliances and specialised resources continue to work at the scene, and Highland Council has established support for displaced residents and campers.

Urban Wildfires and Habitat Mitigation

In Edinburgh, fire crews expect to remain at Arthur’s Seat for several days following a wildfire reported at 18:38 BST on July 19. The fire, which covered roughly 0.01 square kilometres on Salisbury Crags, led to the closure of Queen’s Drive. Historic Environment Scotland has warned of remaining hotspots and expressed concern about a local peregrine falcon nest.

To combat the long-term risk of such incidents, the National Trust and United Utilities have been implementing natural flood and fire management strategies on Holcombe Moor in Ramsbottom. These measures include the installation of leaky dams made from wooden posts to raise the local water table and the planting of sphagnum moss. The interventions are designed to create natural firebreaks and preserve habitats for bird species such as the dunlin, golden plover, and lapwing.

en | boerse | 69816416 |