Date: 20th June, 2024
There is an elevated risk of wildfire in the Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service area over the coming days.
The conditions mean that, should a wildfire be experienced, it could spread quickly and easily due to the conditions. The risk is greatest on large areas of open land, such as heathlands, fields and even cliffsides.
Group Manager Graham Kewley said: “While the warmer weather is welcome after such a wet start to the year, it does mean that foliage will now be dry, and this can result in a greater risk of fires spreading if something happens to cause ignition.
“We would urge anyone going out and about in our beautiful countryside this weekend to take extra care, follow our advice to #BringAPicnicNotABarbecue, and avoid having campfires on heathland or in woodlands.”
Top tips for staying fire safe while out and about include:
- Avoid having open fires or using barbecues in the countryside. Disposable barbecues and campfires are actually banned in many parts of Dorset.
- Extinguish smoking materials properly, and don’t throw cigarette ends on the ground or out of car windows – take your litter home.
- If you see a fire in the countryside, report it immediately to the Fire & Rescue Service. Early detection can prevent it from developing into a large wildfire incident.
- When calling the Fire & Rescue Service, get to a safe place, note the fire’s location (apps such as What3Words can help if you’re not sure), call 999, and meet firefighters at the access point if you can.
- Don’t attempt to tackle fires that can’t be put out with a bucket of water – leave the area as quickly as possible and call 999.
- If you’re at the beach, don’t set off flares, have campfires or light barbecues as these can easily lead to gorse and foliage on the cliffs catching fire.
Landowners and land managers are advised to be prepared for fires, where possible, and ensure that fire breaks are cut and well maintained, with any cut grasses and vegetation removed from the site.
Farmers are urged to keep their machinery well maintained, and to follow the Service’s advice on staying fire safe, which can be found at www.dwfire.org.uk/fire-risks-on-farms
More information on staying safe and enjoying outside areas whilst avoiding starting a wildfire can be found at www.dwfire.org.uk/heath-fires-and-countryside-safety