Wildfire is becoming an increasingly important challenge for forestry across the UK, but the sector is not starting from scratch. Across the country, forestry organisations are already building resilience through risk-based forest planning, staff training, contingency arrangements, public awareness and closer working with Fire and Rescue Services.

Forestry professionals are putting practical measures in place: maintaining rides and fire breaks, improving emergency access and water information, managing vegetation and fuel loads, diversifying woodland structure and species, and using local knowledge to support incident response. National teams also monitor wildfire alerts and use trained incident-management arrangements, while research, guidance and professional development continue to strengthen decision-making. This half-day Wildfire Resilience Summit will recognise this progress, share what is working and identify where collective action can take resilience further.

The Institute of Chartered Foresters is convening the Wildfire Resilience Summit 2026, bringing together forestry professionals, wildfire specialists, researchers, land managers and policymakers to explore what recent wildfire events are teaching us and what practical actions are needed to strengthen resilience across the sector.

Chaired by Dr Mariella Marzano from Forest Research, the summit will combine expert insight, real-world case studies and interactive discussion, helping delegates understand how wildfire risk is evolving and what this means for forestry practice, woodland management and landscape resilience.

Key themes – building on existing sector action

• Understanding the changing wildfire challenge
• Positive practice and lessons from wildfire incidents in Scotland, England, Wales, Portugal and the US
• What happens when fire reaches the forest
• Woodland design, management and wildfire resilience
• Working effectively with Fire and Rescue Services
• Recovery, restoration and long-term resilience
• The role of forestry professionals before, during and after wildfire incidents
• How UK forestry can build on current good practice and collaboration to prepare for future wildfire risk.