Closed petition Make causing a wildfire through negligence a criminal offence

Closed on 5 March 2024

We are asking the Government to introduce legislation to make causing a wildfire in the countryside through negligence, such as using a disposable BBQ in dry conditions, a criminal offence.

Wildfires can be environmentally disastrous but can also, like we saw in the summer of 2022, pose a significant threat to life and properties in rural and semi-rural areas. These fires can also tie up a fire service resources and be financially burdensome. To discourage and punish negligent behaviour that leads to the ignition of many wildfires each year, we are asking the Government the introduce legislation to criminalise the ignition of wildfires through negligence, which countries such as Spain have already done.