With forecasters predicting a mini heatwave across the Isle of Wight and the South over the Bank Holiday weekend, CLA South East is calling on the public to take extra care in the countryside as the warm, dry conditions could elevate chances of wildfires.
As previously reported by Island Echo, the Isle of Wight could see temperatures of up to 29 degrees over the next few days, especially on Sunday and Monday. Although today has started grey and foggy, that low level cover will burn off quickly to reveal a blue-skied day with the mercury soon rising to the mid 20s.
Wildfires have the capability to devastate farmland, wildlife and also pose a risk to the lives of people living and working in rural and adjacent communities. Yesterday, the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service were called to Apse Heath when a field fire broke out. Thankfully, the situation was brought under control fairly swiftly but it could have spread to other fields and property.
Fires can be prevented by not discarding cigarettes or other smouldering material. The same can be said for litter as quite often bottles and shards of glass can spark a fire.
Some CLA members have highlighted the increased fire risk associated with disposable barbeques that are used in the countryside, urging the visiting public not to barbeque in rural areas. Barbeques should only take place in sheltered areas well away from combustible material and properly extinguished afterwards.
The CLA has also long called for the ban on sky lanterns as these pose a serious risk of fire, especially in the countryside. At present, the Government is unwilling to introduce a ban as they do not consider the dangers significant enough, despite animal deaths and fires as a result of sky lanterns.
CLA South East represents thousands of landowners, farmers and rural businesses in Kent, Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight.
Acting Regional Director Tim Bamford said:
“Wildfires can have significant impacts on communities, landscapes and wildlife, and we appeal to the public to be extra vigilant when out and about in the countryside.
“Please take litter home, use common sense and keep an eye out.”
What to do:
• Do not try and tackle the fire yourself.
• Call 999 and request the fire service.
• Give an accurate location of the fire e.g. Name of the nearest road, access points, visible land marks (pubs, farms, power lines etc), locally known names, and map grid references.
• Move to a safe area and contact the local land manager if possible.
• If the fire is in a remote area, please meet emergency services at the access point so that you can guide them to the location.
What not to do:
• Don’t discard cigarettes.
• Don’t have BBQs in unauthorised areas.
• Never leave a BBQ unattended.
• Don’t discard rubbish – particularly reflective materials.
• Don’t burn off garden rubbish during hot periods or if you live close to woodland.
• Don’t have bonfires on hot days or during prolonged periods of dry weather.
