A RED fire severity alert, the highest possible level, has been issued for the whole of Dorset for the next few days as extremely hot weather is expected to hit the area.
Residents and visitors are asked not to have barbecues or campfires during the current prolonged dry weather.
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service attended 180 open fires in the first 10 days of August. This represents an increase of 429% compared to the same period last year.
The red alert means that in the event of a wildfire, it could spread quickly and easily due to dry conditions. The risk is greatest in large areas of open land, such as moorland, fields and even cliffs.
Group fire chief Stuart Gillion said: “After months of hot and dry weather, our countryside is very dry.
“This not only increases the risk of fires spreading quickly, but also increases the risk of ignition.
“We are urging local farmers to take extra care as sparks from hot machinery can easily set a field on fire, and we ask everyone enjoying our beautiful countryside and coast to take extra care and be vigilant with anything that can start a fire. starting”.
The fire service has given the following tips to stay safe while travelling:
- Avoid having open fires or using barbecues in the countryside
- Disposable barbecues and bonfires are banned in many parts of Dorset
- Extinguish smoking materials properly and do not throw cigarette butts on the ground or out of car windows – take your rubbish home.
- If you see a fire in the field, report it to the Fire and Rescue Service immediately. Early detection can prevent it from becoming a large forest fire.
- When calling the fire and rescue service: go to a safe place, write down the location of the fire (apps like What3Words can help if you’re not sure), call 999, find the fire and rescue service at the point of access
- Don’t try to fight fires that can’t be put out with a bucket of water; leave the area as soon as possible.
- If you’re on the beach, don’t light flares, bonfires or light barbecues, as they can easily catch gorse and cliff foliage on fire.
Landowners and land managers are advised to be prepared for wildfires where possible and to ensure that cutters are cut and maintained well, with grasses cut and vegetation removed from the site.
Farmers are asked to keep their machinery in a good state of maintenance and to follow the Service’s fire safety advice, which can be found at dwfire.org.uk/business-fire-safety/fire-risks- on-farms/
Gillion added: “Managing bushfires is incredibly resource-intensive, and some can take days, even weeks, to bring under control.
“Apart from the devastating impact on the countryside, these fires are also very costly, and yet preventable if people heed warnings and take care.
“We can all play a part in keeping Dorset and Wiltshire out of the fire.”
Find out more about how to stay safe and enjoy the outdoors while avoiding starting a bushfire at dwfire.org.uk/safety/heath-fires-and-countryside-safety