Wildfire Resilience Summit 2026: Preparing UK Forestry for a Changing Climate

Recent wildfire events across the UK and Europe have highlighted the growing risks posed by climate change and the increasing pressures facing our forests and woodlands. At the same time, public debate is increasingly questioning the role of trees, woodland creation and forest management in relation to wildfire risk.

This Wildfire Resilience Summit 2026 will bring together tree professionals, wildfire specialists, researchers, land managers and policymakers to explore what recent wildfire events can teach us, and what resilient forestry should look like by 2050.

This half-day online summit will provide practical learning and insight for tree professionals, while looking ahead to the priorities needed to strengthen the UK’s resilience to wildfire over the coming decades.

Programme

The programme will consider wildfire from a forestry and landscape perspective, moving beyond prevention to look at preparedness, response, recovery and long-term resilience.

Sessions will explore:

• The changing wildfire challenge – current evidence, climate projections and what recent UK and international events tell us about future risk.
• Lessons from recent wildfires – case studies from the UK and internationally, examining what happened, what influenced the outcome and what forestry professionals can learn.
• The 2050 landscape challenge – an interactive session exploring how we can balance timber production, biodiversity, carbon storage, public access, community expectations and climate adaptation.
• When wildfire happens: are we ready? – considering the role of forestry professionals during incidents, working with Fire and Rescue Services, operational planning, infrastructure, recovery and restoration.
• Forestry 2050: what must change? – an expert panel discussion examining how woodland creation, forest design and management, professional skills, investment and policy may need to evolve.
• Priorities for action – delegates will use live polling to identify priorities for forestry professionals, landowners and managers, government and agencies.

What will you take away?

By the end of the summit, delegates will:

• Understand how wildfire risk is evolving across the UK
• Learn from recent wildfire events and current research
• Explore how woodland design and management can improve resilience
• Consider the role of forestry professionals before, during and after wildfire incidents
• Understand the trade-offs involved in building resilient landscapes
• Identify priorities for preparing forests, woodlands and the profession for 2050.

Who should attend?

The summit is aimed at anyone involved in the management, planning, protection or policy of forests and woodlands, including:

• Forestry and arboricultural professionals
• Wildfire specialists
• Forest and land managers
• Researchers and academics
• Landowners
• Fire and Rescue Services
• Environmental organisations
• Policymakers and government and agency representatives

Summit output

Following the event, the Institute of Chartered Foresters will publish a short summary paper, Preparing UK Forestry for a Changing Climate: Priorities for Action to 2050.

The paper will bring together key themes from the summit and identify priorities for tree professionals, landowners and managers, government, agencies and policymakers.