CLA pleads for public vigilance on wildfires during summer break

The warning comes as drier conditions increase the risk of fire across large areas of the country, especially on hillsides, moors and heathland. Little, if any, rain is forecast over the next two weeks. Natural England hosts the Fire Severity Index which indicates a ‘very high’ risk for large parts of England. See link.

There has been a spate of wildfires across the UK this summer and visitors to our countryside are asked to help prevent wildfires during the school holidays by not using disposable barbecues or make fires in the countryside.

CLA Director North Harriet Ranson, said:

"The school holidays are a fantastic time for families to get out and explore our beautiful countryside, but you must always respect the working landscape you are passing through and be aware of the potential risks of your surroundings. The dry, hot conditions make it extremely easy for a fire to start and spread quickly. Please lead by example and teach your children to respect the countryside as you would wish your home and garden to be respected.”

"Wildfires devastate farmland, wildlife and their habitats and also pose a risk to the lives of people living and working in rural communities. Reducing the risk of wildfires is key at this time of the year, and raising awareness is one way in which the risk can be reduced.”

“The CLA asks visitors to the countryside not to bring disposable BBQs with them as it is almost impossible to cool them down and take them home afterwards and they are a known cause of wildfires. ‘Disposable’ does not mean littering.”

"People must not discard cigarettes or other smouldering material on the ground. Discarded glass bottles and other litter can also cause fires to start by magnifying glare."

“We appeal to the public to be extra-vigilant when visiting the countryside. Do not throw lit cigarette ends out of your vehicle or engage in activities that involve fire/heat and, if you see a fire in the countryside, report it immediately.”

"It only takes a small spark to start a fire on ground as dry as it is currently, so extra caution must be taken to help protect crops, wildlife and habitats."

“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 vegetation cleared from the site. Farmers are urged to consider having full water bowsers and disc harrows at the ready.”

CLA member George Winn-Darley, who owns and manages Spaunton Moor in the North York Moors said:

“Last year’s fire at Langdale / Fylingdales was started by campers in a remote, secluded forested area with a peat substrate. All moorland in the North York Moors has areas of shallow peat. Once alight, a fire can smoulder underground, destroying the vital carbon store and dormant seeds. Fire burning in the peat layer require huge quantities of water to extinguish, with at least 50 millimetres of rain needed to sufficiently dampen the peat to bring the fire under control.”

“There seems to be a growing trend for visitors to access the remotest of locations to ‘wild camp’, at times worryingly without the consent of the landowner. Almost all land in National Parks is privately owned. It might be tempting, but wild camping is unlawful without permission from the landowner. It seems utterly barking to me that anyone is allowed to use portable barbecues and gas stoves in semi-natural environments.”

Don’t Spark Disaster campaign – North York Moors National Park

Visitors and residents in North Yorkshire are being urged to minimise the risks of wildfires through a major new campaign.

Running during the summer, the Don't Spark Disaster campaign is delivering key messages to the public that simple actions, such as disposing of cigarettes properly and not cooking on an open flame, can help to prevent wildfires.

North Yorkshire Council’s leader, Cllr Carl Les, said:

“This campaign is vital to making sure that we do not see a repeat of the biggest wildfire we have ever witnessed in North Yorkshire.

“Our message is clear – please come and enjoy all that North Yorkshire has to offer but be aware that careless actions can cause a catastrophic impact on our communities and the natural environment.”

The campaign comes after last year’s blaze on Fylingdales Moor, which became the largest wildfire in the history of the North York Moors National Park.

The Don't Spark Disaster campaign is being delivered by North York Moors National Park Authority in partnership with North Yorkshire Council, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Forestry England and North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service. North Yorkshire Council funded the campaign, which is also being supported by the authority’s destination marketing and management service, Visit North Yorkshire.

For campaign resources and further information, visit the Don't Spark Disaster campaign page at northyorkmoors.org.uk/dontsparkdisaster.

Public safety advice

• Do not use disposable barbecues, or make fires in the countryside
• Extinguish smoking materials properly - don’t throw cigarette ends on the ground or out of car windows.
• Don’t discard rubbish, particularly reflective materials which can cause a spark.
• Don’t have bonfires on hot days or during prolonged periods of dry weather.
• Never leave fires unattended and make sure they are fully extinguished after use.

If the fire is in a remote area, meet emergency services at the access point so that you can guide them to the location by using ‘What3Words’. If a fire breaks out, people are advised not to try to tackle it themselves, but to alert the emergency services by calling 999.