NI farm fire costs up 73% in 2025 due to summer heat
The cost of farm fires in Northern Ireland rose to an estimated £11.8 million in 2025, 73% higher than year-on-year.
This is according to insurance company, National Farmers Union Mutual (NFU Mutual).
Its latest Farm Fires Report outlined that high number of these fires came from agricultural vehicles, where sparks during hot dry summers can lead to dangerous fires.
Across the UK, record temperatures and hours of sunshine in 2025 saw the cost of fires to farmers increase 18% to an estimated £118m, while fires relating to agricultural vehicles added another £32m.
Tractor fires made up over half of vehicle costs in the UK, at £16.1m, while combine harvester fires cost £4.8m in 2025.
With the prolonged heat and dry weather continuing into 2026, where temperature records across the country have again been broken, "the rural community is shouldering a substantial risk of fires, especially during periods of harvest", the report said.
The primary causes of fires involving crops, buildings and equipment on farms were arson, lightning strikes, and electrical faults.
NFU Mutual
According to NFU Mutual regional manager for Northern Ireland, Lauren Hamilton, the aftermath of these fires are threatening to farm operations and traumatising to all involved.
She said: "Farmers do what they can to minimise risk, but prevention cannot fall to farmers alone.
“Stronger policy is needed, more than ever, to help tackle the causes of farm fires and protect rural businesses from their devastating impact.”
Hamilton said the risk of farm fires has never been as high as it has been the past two years.
Rest of the UK
Elsewhere in the UK, the east of England suffered 173% increase in farm fire costs in 2025 at an estimated £23.9 million.
The South-West and North-East of England were severely hit by farm fires, despite a fall in costs.
However, Northern Ireland was among the areas of the UK with the largest increase in the cost of farm fires in 2025, highlighting the severity of the issue.
NFU Mutual Risk Management Services is now offering pre-harvest training workshops to help farmers familiarise themselves with fire prevention tactics to minimise fire breakouts.
The company will also be providing agricultural vehicle insurance.
