Learning from 2026: Preparing for an Unpredictable Future

The challenges experienced this year have highlighted the need to think beyond immediate recovery and focus on long-term resilience, from emergency planning and water management to reviewing insurance arrangements and liability exposures.

The statistics tell their own story.

According to the Met Office, summer 2026 was provisionally the hottest summer ever recorded in the UK, with an average mean temperature of 16.5°C. The five warmest UK summers on record are now:

• 2026: 16.5°C
• 2025: 16.1°C
• 2018: 15.7°C
• 2006: 15.7°C
• 2003: 15.7°C

The infamous summer of 1976 now ranks only seventh, while 2026 also set a new record for average daytime maximum temperatures, surpassing a benchmark that had stood for 50 years.

For farmers and agricultural businesses these are not simply climate records. They represent real-world impacts: reduced forage availability, increased feed costs, pressure on water resources, disruption to normal operations and a heightened risk of fire.

Wildfire Risk: A Growing Concern

Across many parts of the UK, prolonged periods of hot, dry weather have significantly increased the risk of wildfires. This year’s incidents have affected a wide range of landscapes, from farmland and grassland to woodland, moorland and areas close to homes, businesses and critical infrastructure.

As wildfires become an increasingly common risk for rural communities, farmers and landowners are having to consider not only how to prevent fires, but also how they would respond should an incident occur. Understanding the practical, health and safety, and insurance implications is an important part of that planning.

Employees Managing Fire Incidents

Where appropriately trained and equipped employees are undertaking controlled burns as part of normal estate management activities, this would generally be considered part of regular operations.
However, there is an important distinction between managing a planned controlled burn and responding to a wildfire.

Every estate should ensure that fire risk assessments clearly identify:

• When staff can safely manage an incident themselves.
• When responsibility should be handed over to the Fire & Rescue Service.
• The training and equipment required for those involved.
• Procedures for protecting employees from undue risk.

Any response should always be proportionate to the circumstances, with staff safety remaining the primary consideration.

Assisting Neighbouring Estates

In rural communities it is not uncommon for neighbouring landowners and estates to support one another during fire incidents.

However, liability can become more complex when employees are working away from their own estate. A key consideration is who is directing and controlling the work being carried out.

Where significant wildfire incidents occur, coordination through the Fire & Rescue Service is generally the safest approach. Estates should ensure that appropriate insurance arrangements, risk assessments and safeguards are in place before employees assist elsewhere.

Using Volunteers

Many estates rely on volunteers during incidents, particularly in remote areas. From an insurance perspective, volunteers acting on behalf of an estate are often treated similarly to employees. As with beaters and dog handlers during the shooting season, it is important that appropriate Employers’ Liability considerations are in place.

Careful planning is essential, including:

• Clear supervision and instruction.
• Appropriate training.
• Formal risk assessments.
• Defined responsibilities where multiple organisations or landowners are involved.

Understanding Potential Liability

One question that often arises following a wildfire is who may be responsible if a fire spreads beyond an estate boundary.

Whether Public Liability insurance responds will depend on the circumstances of each individual case.

Typically, a claimant would need to establish that a fire resulted from a negligent act or omission. In some limited situations, liability may arise under different legal principles, but these cases are unusual.

Similarly, claims involving neighbouring landowners, volunteers or third parties will depend on:

• The cause of the incident.
• The actions taken by those involved.
• The extent of control or instruction exercised by the estate.
• Whether legal liability can be established.

As every fire event is different, each claim must be considered on its own facts.

Protecting Essential Equipment

When responding to fires, estates often rely on valuable machinery, vehicles and specialist equipment.
Whether using ATVs, utility vehicles, water bowsers or misting equipment, owners should ensure that assets are insured under the correct policy section.

Where equipment may be used away from the estate, such as assisting neighbouring properties, it is important to discuss this with your broker to ensure cover reflects how the equipment is actually being used.

Looking Ahead to 2027

While nobody can predict exactly what next summer will bring, the experiences of 2026 demonstrate why resilience planning can no longer be treated as a long-term consideration. For many rural businesses, preparations for 2027 are already underway, making now the ideal time to review risk management and insurance arrangements.

Farmers and estate owners should consider reviewing:

• Fire risk assessments.
• Emergency response plans.
• Staff training requirements.
• Water storage and supply arrangements.
• Vegetation and fuel load management.
• Fire Breaks.
• Business continuity planning.
• Machinery and equipment insurance.
• Employers’ and Public Liability arrangements.

The most effective risk management strategy is one developed before an emergency occurs.

How Lycetts Can Help

As an insurance broker, Lycetts works with farmers, estates and rural businesses to help ensure their insurance arrangements remain appropriate for their operations and assets. Regular reviews can help identify whether cover continues to reflect current circumstances and insurance requirements.

If you would like to review your existing insurance arrangements or discuss the scope of your cover, please speak to your usual Lycetts adviser.

Preparation today can make all the difference tomorrow.