Wildfire risk ‘very high’ in forests across Lake District

Wildfire risk is reaching the highest warning level in some forests and woodlands across Cumbria.

Forestry England said the majority of its sites are also at the very high risk level according to Natural England’s Fire Index, due to the ongoing hot weather.

Nathan Fox, forest ranger for North and West Cumbria, who covers 26 forests in the county, said teams are on heightened alert.

He added that they are urging people to do their bit to help prevent wildfires across Cumbria.

Nathan said: “We want people who are coming to enjoy the countryside to bring a picnic, but please no naked flames, no barbecues and no campfires. We just cannot afford the risk.

“I know it is tempting when the weather is nice, but it is the worst thing for increasing wildfire risk. Naked flames are an absolute no-no at this time when the fire risk is as high as it is.

“We’re also urging people to go to designated car parks and avoid parking in ways that can block roads, as we may need them for emergency vehicles.

“We also don’t want people to park on road sides as hot exhausts can start fires if they come into contact with dry vegetation.

“Because the vegetation is quite lush at the moment, if we did get a fire it would create a lot of smoke, as there’s a lot of moisture in that vegetation.

“That would create a lot of problems for people with breathing difficulties and could spread for miles as we’ve seen in other parts of the country unfortunately.

“While wildfires can start naturally, they are more often caused by people.”

Wildfire risk levels are determined by Natural England and used by organisations across the country.

Risk levels can rise and fall at different times based on factors including wind speed, temperature, time of year, rainfall and weather patterns.

Nathan said: “Natural England issues a fire risk index and that goes from low, through to moderate, high, very high and extreme.

“You can have a really high fire risk in the south of the county and a moderate one at the north, it depends on weather patterns and other factors like that.

“But Cumbria is at a very high risk of wildfire at the moment and because we have no rain forecast and we’re getting into school holidays, we need people to bear that risk in mind.

“We have a timber crop that we grow and sell commercially, we have forests that are full of people such as Whinlatter and Grizedale and then we also have forests full of wildlife.

“So there’s a triple threat posed by wildfires in our woodlands.”

Nathan said that factors such as wind direction can contribute to wildfire risk alongside the high temperatures.

He said: “Here at Whinlatter, the last big fire we had was in 2021 and that burned for three days before it was extinguished.

“When you’ve got a busy forest like this with people and big trees and a south-easterly wind, it’s just a recipe for disaster.

“We also currently have an east-south-easterly wind, it’s not very strong, but again that could potentially fan a fire. So if something caught fire on a north-east facing slope, it could spread very quickly and rapidly.

“When we had the fire in 2021, we were at high fire risk and that’s the reason that system is in place, to be more vigilant.”

Forestry England are also urging people to take their litter home and avoid using things like fireworks in outdoor spaces.

Campfires can be particularly dangerous in the Lake District, as many beauty spots have peat soil – which if set alight, could result in a campfire turning into a serious underground fire or wildfire.

Nathan said: “It’s the likes of letting a couple of fireworks off because England’s won the World Cup that can have a huge impact.

“Discarded cigarettes are also common fire starters and glass bottles can easily start fires too. So it’s a case of being responsible, taking litter home and recycling it properly rather than leaving it.

“But many people just don’t realise the impact that kind of thing can have, so for us it’s about helping educate people on that risk.”

Nathan represents Forestry England in the Cumbria Wildfire Group, which works to prepare for and prevent wildfires in the county.

He said: “The group is made up of people and organisations who have a shared interest in wildfire risk.

“We work as part of that group with Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service and it’s about pulling together to educate people on the risks of wildfires.

“But we also produce wildfire plans and they’re tools that give the fire service quick access to resources, watercourses, forests and codes to get in.

“It’s a case of getting fire crews here as quickly as we can. It’s really all about time and resource deployment.”

Cumbria has recorded some of its hottest temperatures on record over the past few years.

In 2022, parts of the Eden Valley reached 32°C and Great Dun Fell reached 35.3°C, according to research carried out by the Royal Meteorological Society.

Nathan said: “I have worked for Forestry England for 27 years now and I have seen a change with the climate.

“We live in the wettest part of England normally, but when we have these prolonged dry spells, that’s not normal to have, but we are responding to it.

“It used to be 20 years ago we’d joke about how much summer we’d get and now we’re wondering how much rain we’ll get.”

How can I help prevent wildfires in Cumbria?

Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service has issued the following tips on how to help reduce wildfire risk.

• Avoid naked flames, 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 as wildfires can spread rapidly and become very dangerous.