Health secretary speaks out over North Yorks wildfire health impacts

​The NHS should be resilient enough to respond to the health needs created by “extreme events” such as last year’s blaze on Langdale Moor, the Secretary of State for Health, Yvette Cooper, has said.

​Speaking in the House of Commons on Wednesday (September 9), Ms Cooper added that the Government is also looking at how to ensure rapid advice is given to “people who suffer from asthma or other conditions that might be exacerbated by wildfire smoke”.

Yvette Cooper MP, Health Secretary In House Of Commons. 09.09.26.

​​The fire at Langdale Moor in the North York Moors National Park near RAF Fylingdales broke out in August last year and, at its height, covered nearly 25 sq km. It was the largest wildfire in North Yorkshire’s history.

​Speaking in the House on Wednesday, Alison Hume, the MP for Scarborough and Whitby, highlighted the risks posed by wildfire smoke to people with pre-existing conditions.

​This summer, extreme temperatures resulted in wildfires across the country, including in many areas in southern England.

​The MP, who leads the Wildfires All-Party Parliamentary Group, recently said that the issue of wildfires has only started to receive the attention it deserves after affecting the south of England.

​Ms Hume said: “Last year, a wildfire raged across the North Yorkshire moors near Whitby, releasing 25,000 tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere. Wildfire smoke is a health risk and exacerbates symptoms for those with pre-existing health conditions.

​“With the frequency and severity of wildfires increasing, may I ask what assessment my right hon. Friend has made of the health risks posed by wildfire smoke?

​“How is her Department preparing for these growing public health challenges?”

Alison Hume (centre) At Site Of Langdale Moor Fire. Handout

​Health Secretary, Ms Cooper, said the chief medical officer attended a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister to “look at the wildfires over the summer”.

She added: “We are already looking at how we ensure rapid advice is given to people who suffer from asthma or other conditions that might be exacerbated by wildfire smoke so that public health messages can go out and reach them in those areas.

​“We can do that prevention work, but that is part of ensuring that our NHS is resilient enough to respond to whatever healthcare issues are raised by different extreme events.”