WF1: Create a wildfire checklist
Source: gov.uk (2025-07-03)

Find out about eligibility and requirements for the create a wildfire checklist item.

This item is part of Capital Grants 2025. You must read the Capital Grants 2025 guidance (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/capital-grants-2025) to understand the rules and how to apply. You’ll need a capital grants agreement before you can complete the checklist. If you’re applying for this item as part of a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) application, you must read the CSHT applicant’s guide (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/countryside-stewardship-higher-tier-csht) to understand the rules and how to apply.

How much you’ll be paid

£327.12 per farm

How this item benefits the environment

You can mitigate the risk of wildfires causing environmental damage if you can identify the risks of wildfire on your land.

Where you can use this item

You can use this item to create a wildfire checklist and supporting map which covers your holding.

What you must do to use this item

Once you have your agreement, walk your whole holding to create a wildfire checklist (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wildfire-checklist). This will identify the fire risks relevant to your land and help you identify where you may need to act.

Wildfires are more likely if:
- a site is heavily used by the public – there’s a threat from discarded cigarette butts or barbeques
- vegetation is cut during heatwaves, droughts or extended dry periods – farm machinery could generate sparks from striking flints which could ignite dry vegetation
- managed burning of vegetation gets out of control
- burning waste, crop residues or other plant waste gets out of control
Wildfires can:
- cause danger to human life or affects their health
- cause danger to livestock life or affects their health
- damage or destroy food crops or grazing land
- disrupt, damage or destroy properties and businesses (retail, leisure, commercial and industrial)
You must complete the wildfire checklist and mark up a map showing where the identified fire risks are located. You could use reference numbers to mark on your map to correspond with comments your checklist.

Evidence you must keep

You must keep the wildfire checklist and map and provide them with your claim.

Read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the Agreement holder’s guide: Capital Grants, Higher Tier capital grants, and Protection and Infrastructure grants (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/agreement-holders-guide-capital-grants-higher-tier-capital-grants-and-protection-and-infrastructure-grants-2025) for more information.

If you’re applying for this item as part of a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) application, read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the CSHT agreement holder’s guide (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/countryside-stewardship-higher-tier-csht).

Advice to help you use this item

The following advice may help you to use this item, but you do not have to follow it to get paid. It’s not part of this item’s requirements.

Wildfire disclaimer

Wildfires are unpredictable events. Defra and their advisory bodies (Natural England and the Forestry Commission) will support you to minimise the likelihood of wildfires occurring. They are not able to exclude the risk of them occurring and are not liable in the event of any wildfire. You’re responsible for:
- the condition of your land
- how susceptible your land is to the risk of wildfires
- the action you need to take to prevent wildfires