An investigation has been launched following a fire confined to a barn and a field, visible from all over Wantage on Sunday, August 10.
“At first, I thought it was a bonfire,” said Sam Floyd, who witnessed the smoke from her friend’s house in the Barwell area of Wantage. “Then I noticed how big the smoke was when I moved to the other side of the garden.”
The cause of the fire, whether accidental or deliberate, remains under investigation. Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue has stated that they will share the findings of their investigation when possible.
Olly Glover, MP for Didcot and Wantage, commented, “It’s evident that climate change is contributing to an increase in wildfires, with longer dry periods and rising temperatures.”
The concerns about fire hazards are supported by data from the International Fire and Safety Journal, which noted that the UK wildfire season of 2025 has been the worst since monitoring began in 2012. Over 40,000 hectares have been burned, a stark increase over average figures for this time of year.
Emmy MacRitchie, a resident on the Kingsgrove estate near the recent fire site in Wantage, expressed her views. Although she doesn’t perceive an immediate threat to the development of over 1,500 homes, she remarked on the potential risk posed by the surrounding open fields.
At the time of the fire, she voiced concern for the barn owner and extended gratitude to the firefighters.
Most wildfires in the UK initiate near urban areas, often sparked by discarded cigarettes, barbeques, or infrastructure faults. Wantage’s fire scene was enveloped by smoke.
Andy Ford from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service advised against lighting bonfires during heatwaves, urging extra caution when disposing of cigarettes.
Oxfordshire County Council has emphasized their strategic allocation of resources to ensure swift responses to fires.
Sarah James, leader of the Green Group at Vale of White Horse District Council, stressed her party’s commitment to mitigating climate change impacts and adapting to ongoing environmental changes. She highlighted efforts to integrate specific climate actions into the new council plan.
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