Latest news with #TheNationalFireChiefsCouncil
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Firemen fight for two hours to put out Welsh wildfire
Dramatic photographs showed firemen dwarfed by flames as they fought a large blaze in north Wales. Eight acres of land in Rhosgadfan, Gwynedd, caught fire as two crews battled to try and put it out. North Wales Fire and Rescue Service (NWFRS) said the blaze lasted for two hours before they managed to successfully contain and extinguish it. The cause of the fire is unknown. The area of the UK affected by wildfires in 2025 has already surpassed that of any year on record. More than 29,200 hectares have been burnt, according to figures from the Global Wildfire Information System, which has recorded wildfires since 2012. The previous high recorded was in 2019, when 28,100 hectares were singed. Already 2025 has been a record year for wildfires in the UK Following the hot weather last week, fire chiefs across the country warned of the increased risk of wildfires. Last month, 120,000 square metres of a nature reserve in Calshot, Hampshire, were scorched in a blaze. Two larger fires on Dorset heathland, which burnt out more than 126 acres, were ruled to be the result of 'human intervention'. A blaze at Upton, near Poole, destroyed a nationally important heathland the size of 70 football pitches. The animal death toll from the blaze included 139 slow worms, 11 common lizards, three sand lizards, 20 grass snakes, 10 adders, five smooth snakes, a mole, a newt and 10 bird nest eggs. Twenty five snakes were killed in the recent wildfire in Dorset The National Fire Chiefs Council has urged the Government to increase resilience as the number of wildfires rises, which they attributed to climate change. An NWFRS spokesman said: 'We were called at 6.05pm on Monday 5th May to a fire in the open at Rhosgadfan, Gwynedd. 'Eight acres were involved, and two crews and two wildfire units attended to tackle the fire. The stop was received at 8.19pm. 'The cause of the fire is unknown.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Increase in rural fires prompts warning
A fire service has warned people to take extra care to prevent fires during the dry weather. Humberside Fire and Rescue Service said a risk of fires would increase as the warm weather continues this weekend. It said the number of field and agricultural fires beween January and March was up by about a third on what would normally be expected during the period. Mike Anthony, who is responsible for emergency preparedness at the service, urged people to enjoy the warm weather "responsibly". Mr Anthony said: "We're seeing wetter winters, which is causing vegetation, grassland, moorland, heathland, to kind of grow quicker than expected. "As we move into the spring months, that's dried out, and then, with increased temperatures being seen over summer months, that obviously has an impact on the amount of fires and incidents of this type that we're seeing." According to The National Fire Chiefs Council, the UK has seen 286 wildfires so far this year. It said that was more than 100 above the number recorded during the same period in 2022, a year that saw record-breaking temperatures and wildfire activity. Mr Anthony said: "Unfortunately, these types of incidents are becoming more frequent." The Met Office warned the risk of wildfires was severe as above-average temperatures were expected into next week, but the risks were reducing slightly. Humberside Fire and Rescue Service reminded people how they can reduce the risk of causing a fire: Take all rubbish home – glass bottles and litter can start fires Never drop cigarettes – they can ignite dry grass instantly Avoid open flames and disposable barbecues in dry areas Check farm and garden machinery for sparks Have water or an extinguisher nearby when working outdoors Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. 'Human intervention' caused heath wildfires Helicopter dumps water on wildfire burning for 24 hours Amber wildfire warning issued as dry weather continues Humberside Fire and Rescue Service
BBC News
05-04-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Increase in rural fires prompts fire service warning
A fire service has warned people to take extra care to prevent fires during the dry Fire and Rescue Service said a risk of fires would increase as the warm weather continues this said the number of field and agricultural fires beween January and March was up by about a third on what would normally be expected during the period. Mike Anthony, who is responsible for emergency preparedness at the service, urged people to enjoy the warm weather "responsibly". Mr Anthony said: "We're seeing wetter winters, which is causing vegetation, grassland, moorland, heathland, to kind of grow quicker than expected."As we move into the spring months, that's dried out, and then, with increased temperatures being seen over summer months, that obviously has an impact on the amount of fires and incidents of this type that we're seeing." According to The National Fire Chiefs Council, the UK has seen 286 wildfires so far this year. It said that was more than 100 above the number recorded during the same period in 2022, a year that saw record-breaking temperatures and wildfire Anthony said: "Unfortunately, these types of incidents are becoming more frequent."The Met Office warned the risk of wildfires was severe as above-average temperatures were expected into next week, but the risks were reducing slightly. Humberside Fire and Rescue Service reminded people how they can reduce the risk of causing a fire:Take all rubbish home – glass bottles and litter can start firesNever drop cigarettes – they can ignite dry grass instantlyAvoid open flames and disposable barbecues in dry areasCheck farm and garden machinery for sparksHave water or an extinguisher nearby when working outdoorsListen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
