The Northumberland Fire Group aims to minimise the damage to the Northumbrian environment, economy and rural community in the event of a wildfire by facilitating an effective response by fire group partners through the delivery of its 'wildfire preparedness' activities, including:

Live Wildfire Exercises

The Live Wildfire Exercise provide fire group members with a chance to experience wildfire first hand. Participants will gain first-hand knowledge of wildfire behaviour and be able to apply wildfire suppression techniques in a secure live fire environment.

Basic & Advanced Wildfire Fighting Training Courses

Our training courses are aimed at the needs of land managers or anyone that may be asked to assist on a fire ground. They have been developed based on discussions with land managers and the Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service as well as drawing on established international wildfire training materials.

*Please find course outlines for both courses at the bottom of the page.

Wildfire Standard Operating Procedures Manual & Handbook

The SOP manual outlines the procedures to be followed by the Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service and fire group members at a wildfire site. The pocket-size SOP handbook provides checklists on initial wildfire size-up, briefings, liaison with the NFRS and wildfire safety.

*Please find the SOP Handbook at the bottom of the page.

Improved Heather Burning Practice

The Northumberland Fire Group fully supports the guidelines set out in ‘The Heather and Grass Burning Code.' We have also worked with the National Gamekeepers Organisation to deliver a course in improving heather and moorland burning practice.

Wildfire Equipment Sharing

The fire group encourages its members to make equipment available for use on a wildfire outside of their own holdings. The land agent company Landmarc, together with the Ministry of Defence, purchased an Argocat specifically for use by the fire group in the event of a wildfire in Northumberland.

To request copies of any of the above material, contact Ethan on 01670 513 292, or email ethan@northwoods.org.uk