
Fire service brings water safety message to Exeter Quay
"We really want to talk to people about being mindful when they're using areas around water, that if anything goes wrong, they could end up in the water, and what they should be doing to save themselves," he said.He explained the concept of float to live, advising individuals to float on their backs with arms and legs spread out to stabilise themselves and keep their airways clear until the effects of cold water shock pass. Rescue crews demonstrated the use of throw lines and boat rescues, showing the public how to assist someone in the water.

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BBC News
4 days ago
- BBC News
Hereford and Worcester fire chief in wildfire plea amid heatwave
People have been asked to help prevent wildfires, as the country faces another heatwave, with the possibility of a further hot spell before the end of Swallow, a group commander at Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, said 2023-24 had seen wet summers with a lot of vegetation growth, but this year it had been "incredibly dry right through spring and summer".Mr Swallow, who is one of the National Fire Chiefs Council's tactical advisors on wildfire, said that vegetation was now essentially "fuel" and "ready to burn".He urged people to be vigilant and not to have any campfires or garden bonfires, which could quickly get out of hand. "In the UK, the majority of wildfires that occur are caused by some sort of human interaction with the environment, whether that's accidental or deliberate," he said."The best the public can do at the moment is not do anything to increase our workload."Mr Swallow said there were nearly 1,000 wildfires in 2022 across England and Wales, adding that fire services were "well on track to pass that number" this said there were 856 fires across England and Wales by Wednesday and more had been reported in the past 48 hours. On Thursday, a major wildfire broke out on the Shropshire-Staffordshire border with 13 fire crews fire involved about two hectares (five acres) of field and woodland, and had been spreading towards a property, but was later brought under control, crews Shropshire, and Hereford and Worcester fire services tackled the blaze together. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.


Sky News
5 days ago
- Sky News
Record number of wildfires in England and Wales in first six months of the year, fire chiefs warn
There have been a record number of wildfires in England and Wales in the first six months of 2025, fire chiefs say. By the end of July this year, fire and rescue services had responded to 793 such incidents. This was a 663% increase on the same period in 2024 (104 wildfires) and 33% higher than in 2022 (596), which was then a record year for wildfires. The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has highlighted the figures as a major blaze burned across a moorland in North Yorkshire and authorities struggled to contain a fire in Dorset. Up until 12 August, there were 856 wildfires in England and Wales amid the fourth heatwave of the summer. The NFCC, which represents the UK's fire and rescue services, said the "unprecedented surge" had put firefighters under "huge strain". "We are already seeing more wildfires at this point in the year than in 2022 - which itself was a record year - and that is deeply concerning," said NFCC chair Phil Garrigan. Last Sunday, firefighters in Scotland struggled to contain a massive gorse blaze at Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh. "Firefighters are already being pushed to their limits, with the major incident declared in Dorset and Wiltshire this week and the blaze at Arthur's Seat showing just how demanding and dangerous these events can be," said Mr Garrigan. He warned that a wildfire could take crews days, sometimes even weeks, to bring under control and there was "a real human toll on our firefighters too who are undertaking the most arduous work in the toughest conditions". 0:40 In England and Wales, wildfires are classified as those across an area of at least one hectare (10,000 square metres) and with flames more than 1.5m in length, and crews typically need to spend at least six hours fighting the blazes. Mr Garrigan also called for more funding, noting there had been "sustained cuts" to crews. Also, firefighter numbers have fallen by 25% since 2008 - the equivalent of 11,000 fewer "wholetime" firefighters, according to the NFCC. However demand for firefighting services has grown, it said, noting: "Climate change is fuelling more frequent and intense extreme weather events, and wildfires are no longer a seasonal threat; they are a persistent and growing risk to life, property, and the environment." Fire chiefs have urged people not to use disposable barbecues in open countryside, parks and moorland areas. In addition, they should not to throw away cigarettes, matches or glass bottles, as the objects can ignite dry vegetation.


The Guardian
5 days ago
- The Guardian
2025 on track to beat UK record for wildfires, warn firefighters
UK firefighters have warned that 2025 is on track to beat the national record for wildfires, with frontline staff 'pushed to their limits'. On Wednesday, a major incident was declared in the North York Moors national park, with 20 fire engines deployed to tackle at least 5 sq km of moorland that has been burning since Monday. It follows a similar major incident over the weekend tackled by Dorset and Wiltshire fire service and a blaze at Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh. In England and Wales alone, crews have already tackled 856 wildfires this year, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) said – a third higher than the record-breaking totals seen in 2022 and six times the number recorded last year – warning that hot and dry weather means the figures will likely only increase. The NFCC warned members of the public not to use barbecues in open countryside, parks and moorland areas. In addition, the organisation advised people not to discard cigarettes, matches or glass bottles, as they can ignite dry vegetation. The NFCC chair, Phil Garrigan, said firefighters were 'already being pushed to their limits' with recent major incidents 'showing just how demanding and dangerous these events can be'. 'Each wildfire can take days – sometimes weeks – to bring under control, tying up crews and specialist equipment and placing huge strain on other vital fire and rescue work. There's a real human toll on our firefighters too who are undertaking the most arduous work in the toughest conditions. 'We are already seeing more wildfires at this point in the year than in 2022 – which itself was a record year – and that is deeply concerning. This is against a backdrop of sustained cuts in funding and reducing firefighter numbers – with 11,000 fewer firefighters in England now than there were 10 years ago, alongside a 20% increase in demand over the same period. Climate change is fuelling more frequent and intense extreme weather events, and wildfires are no longer a seasonal threat; they are a persistent and growing risk to life, property, and the environment.' He called for 'long-term, sustained investment so that fire and rescue services have the people, resources, and equipment they need to protect our communities, no matter how many fronts they are fighting on'. Researchers say the sea surrounding the Yorkshire coast is likely to break temperature records in 2025. Temperatures are 2C higher than in the 1980s, putting at risk some species that are a key part of the food chain. Prof Rodney Forster, of the University of Hull, told the BBC the North Sea 'appears to be a bit of a hot spot, warming faster than anywhere else and we don't know yet why that is'.