18-06-2025
Wildfire safety warning for Dorset as summer heats up
The arrival of warmer weather has prompted a warning about areas of heathland habitat in Dorset have already been destroyed this year due to "human intervention".After two large fires in Upton Heath in April, wildlife volunteers had the task of scouring the charred landscape for rare reptiles that had fire service is urging people not to light barbecues and campfires or to discard cigarette ends.
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue group manager Jim Weston said: "The longer we go without rain means that the ground and foliage get really dry, leading to a greater risk of fire spreading if something happens to cause ignition."We have already had a number of devastating fires this year, so we would urge anyone going out and about in our beautiful countryside to take extra care and be vigilant."Follow our advice to bring a picnic, not a barbecue, and avoid having campfires on heathland or in woodlands."The use of disposable barbecues and camp fires is already banned in many of the county's open could see anyone caught lighting barbecues, lanterns or fireworks, or dropping cigarettes facing a £100 fine.
The fire service is urging people to:Avoid having open fires or using barbecues in the smoking materials properly, and do not throw cigarette ends on the ground or out of car windows – take your litter you see a fire in the countryside, report it immediately to the fire service. When calling the fire service, get to a safe place, note the fire location, call 999 and meet the fire service at the access not attempt to tackle fires that cannot be put out with a bucket of water – leave the area as quickly as you are at the beach, do not set off flares, have campfires or light barbecues as these can easily lead to gorse and foliage on the cliffs catching fire.
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