Firefighters across the region have dealt with more than 400 fires in the open in the first 5 months of 2021 – with numbers expected to rise as the weather warms up.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) has already responded to 427 grassland, woodland and crop fires between January and May.
As lockdown measures ease further, and with the promise of sunnier days ahead, HIWFRS is now urging people to act with care when enjoying our countryside.
With drier, warmer weather comes an increased risk of wildfires, which can cause devastation to natural habitats and take significant fire service resources to tackle. But by following some simple safety steps – and reporting incidents quickly – the public can help reduce the damage fires in the open can cause.
Station Manager Dean Hodges, HIWFRS’ wildfire lead, said:
“The number of incidents we have already dealt with this year is concerning. Although we all hope for warmer weather over the next few months, drier conditions increase the risk of incidents like these becoming wildfires.
“These fires can spread quickly and cause a massive amount of damage, so it’s really important that everyone plays their part by helping us look after our countryside.
“When the conditions are hot and dry, think twice about lighting barbecues and campfires. Always dispose of these items carefully and make sure barbecue coals have cooled down completely.
Article continues below this advertisement “The New Forest is now a no barbecue and fire zone and we urge people to follow those rules”.
One incident of note locally was on 5th April. A fire engine and a water carrier from Freshwater were called to deal with an unattended bonfire that had spread to a hedgerow and caused superficial smoke damage to an outbuilding in Uplands Road, Totland. Crews spent almost an hour at the scene using 2 jets to put the fire out.
SM Hodges adds:
“Due to the nature of these fires it is sometimes hard to pinpoint exact causes, but we know that careless use of barbecues and campfires are often to blame, along with discarded cigarettes.
“If you see a fire in the open, please act quickly and call 999 to report it because every second really does count”.
Top tips:
- Download the What3Words app on your smartphone and use it to help us locate fires quicker
- If you see a fire, get to safety, call 999 and try and give an approximate size and idea of whether it’s grass, heathland, woodland etc.
- Dispose of cigarettes and other smoking materials properly
- Allow barbecue coals to cool down fully before disposing of these items
- Barbecuing on grass? Use bricks to lift your barbecue off the ground
- Never leave campfires or barbecues unattended
- Look out for amber and red warnings – don’t light fires when these are in place because it means there is an increased risk of wildfires
If you see a fire in the countryside, contact the fire service immediately on 999. Do not attempt to tackle fires that cannot be put out with a bucket of water.
Remember, do not discard cigarettes or other smoking materials in the countryside. It is also important to clear away bottles, glasses and any broken glass to avoid them magnifying the sun and starting a fire.
Always take extra care if using a barbecue and only light fires or BBQs in designated areas. Never leave a campfire or BBQ unattended and extinguish them properly after you have finished using them.
As we all know, it is mostly vile teens who start fires for fun
Until the courts remove those caught, and not just tell them ‘how dangerous’ it all is, such fires will increase especially in school hols.
Or it could just be homeless people trying to get warm?