RAF's Chinooks and A400M aircraft to be used to help fight wildfires from the sky in the UK

Military planes and helicopters will be used to combat wildfires for the first time in the UK, the Prime Minister has announced, as the country ensures it is ready for future extreme weather driven by climate change.

The Royal Air Force's Chinook helicopters and A400M Atlas aircraft will be equipped so they can fight fires and are deployable, when requested, to help firefighters across the UK tackle wildfires on remote moorland, hillsides and other difficult terrain. 

Andy Burnham's announcement came as he hosts the Wildfire Resilience Summit, which is looking at fire prevention, response and recovery after the UK experienced its hottest summer on record.

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"I stood in Stourbridge and watched families lose everything. I will never forget it. Our firefighters were heroes that day, but heroes shouldn't have to fight with one hand tied behind their backs," Mr Burnham said. 

"Crews will now have the kit they need to stay safe, and military aircraft will stand ready to help tackle wildfires from the sky. 

"We cannot put people through another summer like this one."

During the summit, the Prime Minister will meet fire officials, local leaders and experts to help ensure this summer's wildfires are not repeated. 

Businesses, including Airbus, Google and VodafoneThree, are also attending the summit, showing how technology from satellite monitoring and early warning to connectivity and aerial capability can help communities be prepared for and put out wildfires.

Chinooks have shown their capability to manage wildfires in Cyprus as the aircraft practised during Exercise Ifestos in May this year. 

The helicopters dealt with a mock blaze at Machairas National Forest near Nicosia as part of annual preparations for the hottest months of the year. 

The Chinook, which is more commonly utilised for transporting troops or cargo around the battlefield, was described as an "incredible asset" by Jim Gray, Command Fire Officer, British Forces Cyprus. 

The aircraft, capable of getting ready to fly at an hour's notice, could be fitted with a Bambi bucket underneath it. 

"As the threat of wildfires in the UK grows, defence will step up to provide greater support to our emergency services and protect military training areas across the country," Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said. 

The Met Office has found that climate change made the extreme heat 130 times more likely.