The National Trust is urging people not to bring a barbecue or light a campfire when they visit the coast and countryside, following a spate of wildfires during lockdown.
Despite recent rainfall, a record-breaking spring of sunshine has left many landscapes dry and created the perfect conditions for fires to ignite and quickly spread.
Since the start of April, several large blazes have broken out on the Trust’s land, including 1 near the Devon coast that was started by a barbecue and required 6 fire engines and a police helicopter to extinguish, 1 at a heathland site on the Wirral that is home to lizards and tiger beetles, and a 2km moorland blaze in West Yorkshire that tore through the nests of rare ground-nesting birds.
Rangers at the Trust have reported a rise in people bringing barbecues to the countryside, as extended spells of good weather have coincided with the easing of lockdown restrictions.
Many sites have also noticed an increase in litter – which not only blights the landscape and poses a threat to wildlife but can fuel wildfires.
With drier weather set to return this weekend and throughout next week, the charity is calling on those making trips to the coast and countryside not to bring a barbecue or leave litter behind.
Ben McCarthy, Head of Nature Conservation at the National Trust, said:
“We know that people have missed the outdoors and open spaces these past few months – and we’re really pleased to be welcoming them back. But we’re urging people not to bring barbecues to the countryside or the coast. They can lead to real problems, particularly after such little rain in April and May.
Article continues below this advertisement “Many areas of land are still very dry and all it takes is a single spark from a barbecue or a dropped cigarette to cause a serious fire. Fires like these undermine our work to care for nature and respond to the climate emergency, which are priorities for the National Trust.
“Our local teams and the fire services are working hard to keep the countryside and coast safe for everyone, but resources are stretched.
“Please think of others; think of the wildlife; think of our emergency services; and don’t bring barbecues to the beach or countryside.”
Ben continued:
“Sadly, litter has been an issue for us for many years, but it has really ramped up lately.
“We absolutely want people to experience the beautiful natural places we look after and enjoy a picnic in the outdoors – but it’s not OK to drop rubbish and expect someone else to pick it up for you.
“Please keep hold of your litter until you find a bin, or better still, take it home with you, so we can all appreciate our natural places litter free.”
As more and more homes are built here, most without usable gardens, with just enough room for a wheely bin and a washing line, then people are forced to go into the country to enjoy the outdoor life.
There is no excuse not to bring home your rubbish, but a hot barby is not easy to take home.
Perhaps the NT could make safe stone slabbed areas for a barby as many beauty spots have abroad.
Those here with massive gardens, summer houses the size of a bungalow, it is easy to forget that many gardens are just space for the rubbish bins and so are useless for entertainment.
With Ryde about to be built to bits, expect the issue to grow ever worse unless the building is stopped, homes which are built are made with decent sized gardens, or the council and N.T provide a solid slab and a tap to make bar b Q’s safe to use on land which was left to them for enjoyment.
And Low life, take your junk home.
I remember the sixties when most houses had large gardens, especially council houses.
Now population has expanded in the UK, new builds are like garden sheds, people are treated like battery hen’s and we are told a large population is enriching, for who?..
If people poured water on them to ensure they were out and not posing a fire risk all would be fine. But as usual, you get ‘dummies’ that cause these terrible fires because they leave them smouldering. MAKE SURE THEY ARE WELL DRENCHED WITH WATER IF YOU HAVE TO USE THESE THINGS.
Similar problems wherever you go. Wife and I cleared a full black bin bag of litter from our local nature reserve. In the woods was a remainder of a fire that could easily have set the whole place on fire. Most definitely teenagers who are bored with the effect of lockdown.
Yep, you can tell lockdown is easing by the increase of litter in Church Litten and Seaclose parks.