People are urged to ditch barbecues in the Lake District to help prevent wildfires.
Wildfires are becoming more common in the UK due to climate change – but while warm weather increases the risk of a fire, most of the time the spark that starts a wildfire is linked to people.
As a result, Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service is encouraging people to ditch barbecues and campfires and instead opt for a picnic to help prevent wildfires from starting.
Smokers are also being asked to take extra care when smoking and to extinguish cigarettes in a safe manner.
Lauren Woodward, area manager for Service Delivery at Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Wildfires can ravage the local wildlife, destroying ecosystems in a matter of hours that have taken years to build up.
“Every wildfire starts with human intervention, whether that’s carelessness or a deliberate act, so we need everyone who enjoys our beautiful open spaces to work with us to help protect them.”
Wildfires can also be accidentally caused by people who believe they have acted responsibly, ensuring campfire flames have been visibly put out after use.
However, unbeknownst to them – the fire has travelled below the ground’s surface.
Lauren added: “Seemingly extinguished bonfires and barbecues often pose a continued risk of causing wildfires. Residual heat and embers can cause hidden smouldering fires underground, sometimes for a number of days, before spreading to surface vegetation.
“These unseen fires can be particularly challenging for firefighters to detect and can easily spread unnoticed. It’s another reason that we ask people to bring a picnic and not a barbecue.”
People out enjoying the countryside are also reminded to take home any litter when enjoying Cumbria’s outdoor spaces, as fires can be sparked from unlikely items during the warm, dry weather.
Glen Swainson, senior site manager at RSPB Geltsdale, said: “We are really grateful for the care and caution that most of our visitors take when exploring our Cumbrian nature reserves and wider countryside.
“However, fires can be started by items that people wouldn’t even consider a risk. The use of disposable barbecues are not allowed at RSPB sites as they are an obvious fire risk for greenspaces.
“But even a glass drinks bottle left in dry heather, grasses or leaves can start a fire on a sunny day. And a discarded cigarette-end can quickly turn into a blaze.
“All it takes is a gust of wind to carry the spark a short distance to the dry and highly flammable vegetation. And depending on the remoteness of the location, it can be really challenging for our local fire service to reach the area easily.
“We want visitors to thoroughly enjoy RSPB Geltsdale this summer and eating outdoors is part of the fun. Visitors are welcome to bring their own pre-prepared food from home and will find picnic benches outside the main office at Stagsike.”
“We also want to thank Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service – without their tireless work and swift action we wouldn’t have our special Cumbrian countryside to enjoy safely.”
Okay, so how can I help prevent wildfires in Cumbria?
Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service recommends these steps to help prevent wildfires:
- Avoid having open fires or using barbecues in the countryside.
- Barbecues and campfires are banned in many country parks, campsites and open spaces. Make sure you check what is and isn’t allowed where you are and follow the rules.
- Avoid lighting campfires in the countryside – never leave them unattended and make sure they are extinguished fully.
- 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 Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service via 999.
- Early detection can prevent it from developing into a large wildfire incident. Know where you are – apps like What3Words can help with this.
- Please take care when parking vehicles to leave access roads, tracks and gates clear, and avoid parking on dry vegetation.
If you do see a fire, always move to safety and call 999. Do not attempt to tackle the fire yourself.
