UK PM announces military aircraft to help fight future wildfires

Britain's Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced plans to equip military aircraft and helicopters to combat future wildfires, as the country grapples with increasing threats from the climate crisis. The government has earmarked up to £45 million ($60 million) to bolster firefighting efforts, including the deployment of specialist wildfire teams and lightweight protective gear for English firefighting services.

Scientists attribute the rise in blazes to man-made climate change, with recent summers witnessing widespread droughts and extreme heat. A blaze in Stourbridge in August destroyed 19 houses and damaged 18 others, prompting Burnham to highlight the need for Britain to adapt to climate change. However, Burnham has faced criticism for approving plans to begin new drilling within a controversial North Sea gas field.

Ahead of a wildfire resilience summit, Burnham emphasized the importance of ensuring that this summer's devastating scenes never repeat. Friends of the Earth campaigner Sienna Somers criticized the timing of the summit, noting the "irony" of hosting it just days after approving the Jackdaw gas project and calling for a comprehensive adaptation plan.