Cheltenham Wildfire Risk

Today's Met Office fire severity level and five-day forecast for Cheltenham and the land within 10 km, from Cleeve Hill to the Severn Vale.

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About Wildfire Risk Around Cheltenham

Wildfire risk around Cheltenham is usually low. Grass, gorse and woodland on the Cotswold escarpment can still dry out quickly in a hot spell, and Cleeve Hill sees more grass fires than anywhere else around the town. This page shows the Met Office Fire Severity Index for Cheltenham and the land within 10 km of the town centre: how severe a fire could become if one started today, and over the next five days.

The level runs from 1 (low) to 5 (exceptional). The page takes the highest level across the grid squares around town, so a high rating on the hills counts even when the town itself is lower. For the number of grassland, woodland and crop fires recorded around Cheltenham each year since 2010, see the wildfire history page.

Preventing Wildfires

• Use barbecues only where they are allowed, never on dry grass, and never on open hillsides or in woodland. Make sure a barbecue is completely cold before you put it in a bin.
• Do not light campfires or bonfires on open land, and do not drop cigarettes, matches or glass, which can focus sunlight.
• Keep to paths on commons and hills when the level is high, and take all litter home.
• When the level is exceptional, check the Natural England Open Access site before walking on open access land, as some areas may be closed.

If You See a Fire

• Call 999 and ask for the fire service, even if you think someone else has already called. Give the location as precisely as you can, for example a car park, footpath or what3words address.
• Move away from the fire, upwind if you can, and do not try to put out anything larger than a small flame yourself.
• If smoke drifts over your home, keep windows and doors closed until it clears.

For more advice on outdoor fire safety, see Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service. If it’s a flood rather than a fire you’re checking, see Cheltenham flood warnings, and for local pollution levels see Cheltenham air quality.

Fire Severity Today

Fire Severity Forecast

Fire Severity by Grid Square

The Met Office rates fire severity for each 10 km Ordnance Survey grid square. Each square on the map is labelled with its grid reference and today's level.

Data from the Met Office Fire Severity Index, published by Natural England. Last updated 9 October 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Fire Severity Index?

• The Met Office Fire Severity Index rates how severe a wildfire could become if one started, from 1 (low) to 5 (exceptional).
• It is worked out from the weather: recent rainfall, drought, temperature, humidity and wind.
• It does not forecast whether a fire will start. Most wildfires in England are started by people, by accident or on purpose.

What Happens at Exceptional (Level 5)?

• At level 5, landowners and Natural England can close open access land to the public to reduce the chance of a fire starting.
• Check the Natural England Open Access site for restrictions before walking on open hillsides such as Cleeve Common or Leckhampton Hill.

Which Area Does This Page Cover?

• Every 10 km grid square that comes within 10 km of Cheltenham town centre: SO81, SO82, SO83, SO91, SO92, SO93, SP01, SP02, SP03.
• That takes in the Cotswold escarpment from Cleeve Hill to Crickley Hill, the Severn Vale towards Gloucester and Tewkesbury, and the land beyond, as smoke from a fire nearby can drift over the town.

How Often Is It Updated?

• The Met Office issues a new forecast every morning for today and the next five days. This page picks it up several times a day.
• Every day rated high (3) or above is recorded on the wildfire history page.

How Can I Get Alerts?

• Subscribe to the wildfire risk feed in any RSS or feed reader. It lists every day forecast at high (3) or above.
• When the level reaches very high (4) or exceptional (5) today or tomorrow, an alert also shows on the Cheltenham Open Data homepage.