Events & Entertainment, Nature & Wildlife | Posted on July 4th, 2024 | return to news
Dorset fire service relaunches wildfire prevention campaign
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is urging the public to #BringAPicnicNotABBQ this summer to prevent wildfires.
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) is once again reminding the public to #BringAPicnicNotABBQ through its wildfire prevention campaign.
The campaign aims to remind the residents of Dorset and Wiltshire, as well as day trippers and holidaymakers, to take care in open spaces this summer. Over the last three years, DWFRS has seen a steady increase in fires in the open, with a spike in the summer of 2022. In 2021, 494 fires were dealt with, 912 in 2022 and 510 in 2023.
The Wareham Forest fire of May 2020, which is believed to have been started by a disposable barbecue, was one of the most devastating forest and heath fires in Dorset in living memory. Firefighters, police officers, Forestry England rangers and many other partners were on the scene for over three weeks, working tirelessly in hot and arduous conditions to stop the wildfire.
Disposable barbecues being left behind when still hot are a known cause of heath and forest fires, as are campfires. This campaign aims to reduce this risk by encouraging people to choose alternatives such as a picnic or an electric barbecue.
The campaign also highlights that barbecues and fires are banned on heathland, in forests and in many other high-risk areas across Dorset.
Marc House, Head of Prevention at DWFRS said: “Firefighters, control room operators and all staff from across Dorset & Wiltshire (along with a range of partners) who supported the Wareham Forest fire and more recently the Canford Heath fire, worked extremely hard to bring these incidents to a safe conclusion. These incidents highlight just how devastating, and resource intensive, wildfires are.
“With nice weather hopefully on the way, it is only natural to want to go outdoors and enjoy it with friends and family, but it is also important to stay fire-aware when out and about. The idea behind the #BringAPicnicNotABBQ campaign is to remind those enjoying our countryside that bringing a picnic is a much safer option than having a barbecue.”
Assistant Chief constable Mark Callaghan from Dorset Police said: “Wildfires have a huge impact on the local community. When these incidents occur, they put the safety of the public at risk and destroy large areas of forest, heathland and its wildlife, road closures have to be put in place that inconvenience many people and firefighters risk their lives to tackle the blaze and bring it under control.”
Sophie Carpenter of Litter Free Dorset said: “This summer, Litter Free Dorset are encouraging businesses across Dorset to choose to remove disposable BBQs from sale. Disposable BBQs are single use, non-recyclable and if littered are a big fire risk. Help us prevent incidents of fire and injury by choosing alternatives this summer – opt for a picnic instead.”
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