The conference, founded in 2003, rotates around England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, and organisers, the England and Wales Wildfire Forum, said it was the busiest ever.
Gareth Clay, chairs the steering group behind the event and is also Professor of Geography at the University of Manchester, said Leeds was a “fantastic venue”.
“Close on the doorstep of the Yorkshire Dales, the North York Moors, and has experienced wildfires quite a lot in recent years.
“So we thought we’d bring it to Leeds, showcase the region to our national and international delegates and really set the conference within the heart of Yorkshire.”
Wildfires had been evolving and changing “over the last 20 years,” he said.
He said they were normally seen as something which only happened in rural areas such as on moorland.
“But over the last couple of seasons (years) in particular we’ve had major impacts of wildfires in towns and cities across the UK.
“We still have those wildfires in the more rural, remote locations.
“But increasingly we’re seeing the most disruption coming from those fires right on the edge of towns, villages and cities.”
Clay said these had an impact on air quality, travel, tourism and people’s access to recreation with areas out-of-bounds for days or weeks.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
