Farm fire costs in Northern Ireland up 73% in a year as MLA calls for rural fire service investment
Fires cost Northern Ireland farmers an estimated £11.8 million in 2025, according to a report by insurer NFU Mutual. A local lawmaker is demanding more funding for rural fire and rescue services.
Farm fires cost Northern Ireland farmers an estimated £11.8 million in 2025, a 73% rise on the year before, according to a report by the agricultural insurer NFU Mutual. Diana Armstrong, a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA), deputy leader of the Ulster Unionist Party and its agriculture spokesperson, responded by calling for greater investment in rural fire and rescue services.
Costs rising faster than in the wider UK
The report shows the cost of farm fires in Northern Ireland grew four times faster than across the United Kingdom. UK-wide, fires cost farmers an estimated £118 million in 2025, up 18% on 2024. Fires involving agricultural vehicles added a further £32 million. Tractor fires accounted for more than half of the vehicle costs, at £16.1 million, while combine harvester fires cost £4.8 million. The east of England, which has large areas of arable land, recorded the biggest loss, at an estimated £23.9 million.
The report noted that record temperatures in 2025 raised the fire risk, and that continuing hot, dry weather this year is causing concern among farmers.
The MLA's demands
Armstrong said fire has always been part of farming risk, but a rise of nearly three quarters in a single year is not normal. In her view, farmers can check machinery and electrics and consider fire suppression systems, but prevention cannot fall to farmers alone.
She said rural fire and rescue needs proper investment, decent equipment and better access to water supplies in an emergency. She added that she will ask what assessment has been made of rural fire service response times, as well as water access for firefighters in rural areas.
