Firefighters Battle Huge Blaze at Formby Dunes 2026

Key Points

• A large fire involving gorse and sand dunes has been combated at Formby on Tuesday, August 12, 2026.
• According to Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, six fire engines have been deployed to tackle the incident, which had support from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service.
• The wind-driven fire covered around 500m by 200m area with several fire points in the thick gorse and dunes and the larger area was made safe first.
• Beaters, extendable hose reels, an off road vehicle and a service drone were used by the firefighters to enter into difficult terrains and check hot spots.
• Flames were observed from several miles away, even in Crosby, and the flames were said to have started in three or four separate places.
• Local activists emphasized on the present ban on disposable barbecues and bonfires on the Sefton coast and requested visitors not to light any fires and to take their litter back home.

Formby Fire (Liverpool standard) August 13, 2026 – Fire crews battled a large gorse and sand dune fire in uk/local/formby/">Formby on Tuesday evening, with flames and thick smoke visible across parts of the Sefton coastline. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) confirmed six fire engines were deployed to the Albert Road area, close to Formby Beach, after being called at around 8pm to a significant blaze in the dunes.

What do we know about the Formby dunes fire?

As reported by journalists at the Liverpool Echo and Manchester Evening News, firefighters were tackling what they described as a “significant” gorse fire that spread across sand dunes at Formby Beach on the evening of August 12, 2026. MFRS said crews faced challenging conditions as strong winds helped the flames spread, with the fire growing to approximately 500 metres by 200 metres and involving multiple fire spots in dense gorse and dune vegetation.

The service said firefighters used beaters and extended hose reels to tackle the blaze, while an MFRS off-road vehicle was deployed to access the fire from the beach side. A service drone was also used to provide aerial situational awareness and help crews monitor the extent of the fire and identify hot spots. In addition, a fire engine from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service attended as part of mutual cross-border support.

MFRS later said the main section of the fire had been extinguished and that crews were carrying out checks for any lingering hot spots.

What did witnesses and locals say about the blaze?

According to coverage by the Manchester Evening News, a witness who saw the fire in its early stages said: “The blaze seemed to be igniting in three or four distinct areas, each separated from one another.” The witness, who said they were located at Formby Caravan Park, added that park owners were monitoring the situation and that the fire had been “raging for several hours”.

Local news site Formby Bubble reported that flames from the dunes fire were visible from as far away as Burbo Bank in Crosby, and that the blaze came at the end of an evening when hundreds of people had gathered along the Formby coastline to watch a solar eclipse. The site said reports indicated the flames could be seen from several miles away across the Sefton coastline, though the exact location and full extent of the fire were not immediately clear.

What have emergency services said about conditions and tactics?

In a statement cited by the Liverpool Echo and Manchester Evening News, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said the blaze had expanded because it was “driven by wind”. The service said: “Firefighters have persevered in challenging conditions as the flames were propelled by wind, growing to dimensions of 500 by 200 meters with multiple fire spots in dense gorse and dunes.”

MFRS outlined that crews employed beaters and extended hose reels to combat the flames, and that a service drone was deployed to provide aerial situational awareness. An off-road vehicle was used to access the fire from the beach side, while a fire engine from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service provided mutual cross-border support. The service later said the main section of the fire had been extinguished and that crews were conducting checks for any lingering hot spots.

What are the rules on fires and barbecues on Formby’s coastline?

Sefton Council has previously warned that the protected coastal landscape around Formby is at high risk of wildfires, particularly during dry periods. The council states that disposable barbecues are not allowed anywhere along the coastline, including in the dunes, woodlands or on the beach, and that lighting fires of any kind is banned.

The council advises that anyone who sees a fire should report it immediately by calling 999, asking for the Fire Service and giving as much detail as possible, including the nearest main road, to help crews mobilise quickly. During the Formby dunes fire incident, local campaigners referenced these restrictions, with one witness quoted by the Manchester Evening News saying:

“Rage Against Rubbish is advocating for increased awareness regarding BBQ and firework restrictions, as well as urging individuals to take their litter home.”

Background to the Formby dunes fire development

Formby’s sand dunes are a protected coastal landscape managed in part by the National Trust and subject to local authority restrictions on activities that could trigger wildfires. The area has experienced previous gorse and grass fires in recent years, including incidents in July 2025 and July 2026, when firefighters were called to large sections of sand dunes and grassland adjacent to the beach on Albert Road. In May 2026, fire crews also attended an overnight blaze involving a garden shed on Liverpool Road in Formby, highlighting recurring fire risks in the area.

Sefton Council has previously issued public warnings ahead of warm, dry spells, reminding visitors that disposable barbecues and open fires are prohibited along the coastline and that people should take all litter home to reduce ignition risks. The council’s guidance stresses that anyone who spots a fire should move to a safe location and call 999 immediately, and not attempt to tackle a fire unless it is very small and can be done safely. The August 12, 2026 dunes fire fits within this pattern of seasonal wildfire incidents in a sensitive coastal environment, prompting renewed attention on prevention and public awareness.

Prediction: how could the Formby dunes fire affect visitors and residents?

If incidents like the August 2026 Formby dunes fire become more frequent, visitors and residents can expect tighter enforcement of existing bans on disposable barbecues and open fires, along with more visible signage and patrols during dry, windy periods. Regular beachgoers may face temporary access restrictions or path closures near dune areas while crews tackle blazes or conduct hot-spot checks, and local car parks such as those on Albert Road could see increased congestion from emergency vehicles.

For residents living near the dunes and caravan parks, repeated gorse and dune fires raise the risk of smoke disruption, potential property threats in extreme cases, and higher insurance scrutiny in high-risk zones. Local community groups and campaigners are likely to push for stronger public education on fire risks, more frequent litter-picking initiatives and clearer messaging around the dangers of discarded glass and other ignition sources, which could gradually change visitor behaviour but also increase pressure on councils to fund additional prevention measures. Over time, this could mean a more regulated coastal experience, with greater emphasis on “leave no trace” practices and stricter penalties for those who breach fire bans.