Massive wildfire flares up near a Royal Air Force base, leading to the declaration of a significant emergency; firefighting efforts ongoing for two consecutive days.
Wildfire Rages Near RAF Fylingdales in North York Moors National Park
A wildfire has been burning near the RAF Fylingdales airbase in the North York Moors National Park since August 11, 2025. The blaze, spanning approximately five kilometres of terrain, has been causing concern for local residents and authorities alike.
The North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has been battling the flames since yesterday, with around 20 fire engines on the scene. Specialised multi-terrain vehicles with fire fogging and foam capabilities are also being used, supported by a helicopter dropping water to contain the fire. The fire is deeply seated in peat, making it challenging to extinguish, and crews are expected to remain at the scene for several days.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams are also present due to the fire affecting a disused army range with munitions, causing precautionary warnings of possible explosions. The fire has covered several square kilometres, destroying an area of special scientific interest, and its smoke has been detected up to 130 km away in places like Skipton and York.
As a result of the firefighting resources being stretched, the North York Moors Railway (NYMR) has taken steps to ensure safety. The Tornado steam train services have been delayed on August 5, 16, and 17 due to the hot weather and recent fires. The NYMR is reviewing all current "Tornado" services and has switched all of their Pickering to Grosmont standard services to heritage diesel locomotives. The NYMR is running steam-hauled services between Grosmont and Whitby due to the lower fire risk profile.
The NYMR is cooperating with and supporting the emergency services in managing the wildfire. Residents have been urged to avoid the area and follow the fire service's latest advice, which can be found on their website. The latest update on the wildfire near RAF Fylingdales is that it remains a major incident, with no revised start date for the Tornado steam train services announced yet as temperatures have not cooled down.
Shocking footage shows billows of black smoke and flames lashing across grassland, highlighting the severity of the situation. The NYMR hopes to have an update on the revised start date once temperatures have cooled down and the fire has been brought under control.
[1] North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service: Wildfire Update - August 14, 2025. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.northyorksfire.gov.uk/news/wildfire-update-august-14-2025
[2] BBC News: Wildfire near RAF Fylingdales continues to burn. (2025, August 14). Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-north-yorkshire-58082876
[3] The Yorkshire Post: Wildfire near RAF Fylingdales: North York Moors Railway cancels steam train services. (2025, August 14). Retrieved from https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/local-news/wildfire-near-raf-fylingdales-north-york-moors-railway-cancels-steam-train-services-1-9629526
[4] ITV News: Wildfire near RAF Fylingdales: Residents urged to avoid the area as fire continues to burn. (2025, August 14). Retrieved from https://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2025-08-14/wildfire-near-raf-fylingdales-residents-urged-to-avoid-the-area-as-fire-continues-to-burn
[5] Yorkshire Coast Radio: Wildfire near RAF Fylingdales: A171 closed as fire takes hold. (2025, August 14). Retrieved from https://www.yorkshirecoastradio.co.uk/news/local-news/wildfire-near-raf-fylingdales-a171-closed-as-fire-takes-hold/
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