The wildfire incidents on moors in the north of England, particularly at Saddleworth and Winter Hill, have highlighted the devastating effect fires can have on our countryside and wildlife habitats.
Although some are started deliberately, many wildfires start due to carelessness. Particularly during the hot, dry weather, Natural England is urging people to enjoy and protect the countryside by avoiding open fires such as barbeques and extinguishing cigarettes and other smoking materials properly.
We want everyone to be able to enjoy the outdoors. But, at any time of the year when you're in countryside - whether there's a heatwave or not - follow the Countryside Code and keep in mind these simple tips:
- Plan ahead and be prepared; follow advice and local signs.
- Dry conditions increase the risk of fires in the countryside.
- Don’t attempt to tackle fires yourself. If you see a fire, get to a safe place, note the fire’s location and call 999.
- Do not start open fires (camp fires or barbeques) in the countryside. Always have them in safe designated places.
- Don’t throw cigarette ends on the ground or out of car windows and take your litter home – including glass because heat reflecting off glass can sometimes spark fires.
Open Access land allows people across the country to get out and enjoy s
ome truly amazing scenery. But during periods of exceptional weather conditions, some areas may be closed to prevent fires and for public safety. You can search for locations and see if there are any restrictions in place on our website.
Fire prevention restrictions are triggered by the Met Office’s Fire Severity Index (FSI). You can find out more and view live risk levels across the country on the Met Office website.
You can also look out for our latest advice by following us on Twitter.