August 2025

July Highlights & What’s Ahead in August

Hello from all of us at Smiths Fire LLP in Kettering! With August already well underway, now feels like the right moment to pause, look back on July’s fire-safety highlights, and share what’s still to come before the month is out.

July turned out to be one of the hottest, driest months the UK has seen in years, and the impact was clear to see. Across England and Wales, fire crews dealt with more than 649 wildfires between January and early July. Twice as many as in 2022. From moorlands to farmland, the blazes were a stark reminder of just how quickly our countryside can become vulnerable when the heat and dry weather take hold.

Closer to home, local fire crews were kept on their toes. On 25th July, firefighters from Rushden, Wellingborough, Irthlingborough, and Moulton were called to a 25 acre farmland fire in Wollaston. With support from Wildfire Officers and “wildfire backpacks” they were able to bring the flames under control. It was an impressive reminder of how teamwork and the right equipment can make all the difference in protecting both land and community.

As we move through August, local fire services remain committed to visibility and prevention. Be on the lookout for future community safety events and school outreach across Northamptonshire, especially as families spend more time outdoors and fire risk remains elevated.

For landowners and farmers: consider filling out the digital rural safety form launched by Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service. This helps the service plan tactical approaches better and act swiftly if fire breaks out.

Thanks for following along with our July review and August outlook. Stay cool and stay prepared. You can count on Smiths Fire to bring expert fire protection to your home or business.