Farm Fires Report 2026

Cost of farm fires rises to £118m in 2025 as record temperatures take toll on UK farmers

• Farm fires involving growing crops, buildings and farm equipment increased in 2025 by 18% to £118 million
• Fires related to agricultural vehicles like combine harvesters and tractors added an extra £32m
• Record temperatures in 2025 increased fire risk, with continuing hot, dry weather this year causing anxiety for farmers

NFU Mutual’s new Farm Fires Report has revealed that fires cost UK farmers an estimated £118 million in 2025, up 18% on the previous year, devastating farming communities.

Across the UK, record temperatures and hours of sunshine in 2025 saw the cost of fires to farmers increase 18% to an estimated £118m while fires relating to agricultural vehicles added another £32m. 

Agricultural vehicles often operate at extremely high temperatures, with the hot, dry weather of the previous two summers meaning a spark can quickly become a dangerous fire. Tractor fires made up over half of vehicle costs in the UK, at £16.1m, while combine harvester fires cost £4.8m in 2025. 

The primary known causes of fires involving crops, buildings and equipment on farms were arson, lightning strikes, and electrical faults.

With the prolonged heat and dry weather continuing into 2026, where temperature records have again been broken, the rural community is shouldering a substantial risk of fires, especially during periods of harvest.

NFU Mutual's Rural Affairs Specialist Hannah Binns said: “For centuries, fire has been a devastating, ever-present threat for our nation’s farmers, and NFU Mutual was founded in response to this persistent risk. Despite farming evolving significantly over the years, fire has remained a constant threat.

“As the UK recorded the highest temperatures and most hours of sunshine on record in 2025, and 2026 seeing more extreme dry periods record temperatures, the risk of uncontrollable blazes has never been higher.

“The aftermath of this can be grave, threatening farm operations and traumatising those involved, as well as disrupting essential infrastructure which can further affect the wider community.

"Farmers do what they can to minimise risk, but prevention cannot fall to farmers alone. Stronger policy is needed, more than ever, to help tackle the causes of farm fires and protect rural businesses from their devastating impact.”

Estimated regional farm fire claims costs reported to NFU Mutual

Figures rounded to the nearest £100,000. Percentage difference based on exact claims figures. The costs do not include agricultural vehicle fires. 

The East of England, which contains vast areas of arable land, suffered the biggest loss from fires last year at an estimated £23.9m. The South West, while recording a welcome fall of 20% from 2024, saw the second most costly damage, while the North East of England and Scotland also recorded significant loss.

To manage the risk, NFU Mutual Risk Management Services offers pre-harvest training workshops to help farmers familiarise themselves with fire prevention tactics to help minimise fire breakouts across farms nationally.

NFU Mutual also supports the adoption of accredited fire suppression systems, providing agricultural vehicle insurance discounts to policyholders who install approved equipment onto combine harvesters.

The latest NFU Mutual Farm Fires Report can be accessed here.

Five tips for fire prevention from NFU Mutual Risk Management Services: 

• Have a plan in place – Put people at the heart of your fire plan and ensure everyone on site knows what to do in the event of a fire.
• Keep electrics maintained – Electrical faults are a major cause of farm fires and a single spark can trigger a massive blaze.
• Control hot work – Welding, cutting or grinding equipment, along with blowlamps and blow torches, produce sparks which can turn into fires if they hit combustible material.
• Suppress the risk – Suppression systems and water bowsers play a critical role in quickly containing and extinguishing fire.
• Keep things clean and clear – Good housekeeping helps to eliminate dust and debris and store machinery and stock safely, removing potential fuel for a fire. 

If a fire breaks out:

• Call the fire and rescue service immediately and direct emergency services to the exact location of the fire.
• Keep the farm entrance clear for emergency service access and send somebody to direct the fire and rescue service.
• Evacuate people to a safe location as per your emergency plan.
• Only attempt to fight the fire if it is safe to do so and use the correct and maintained extinguishers.
• Prepare to evacuate livestock in the event of the fire spreading, but only if safe to do so.
• Be prepared to use farm machinery to assist the fire and rescue service, but only on their instruction