More wildfires are expected as temperatures rise in Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue service were called out to over 300 wildfires in July
People in Lincolnshire are being urged to take care to avoid devastating fires, as hot dry conditions continue.
This week temperatures are expected to rise over 30 degrees celsius, as another heatwave approaches.
It is expected there will be more wildfires, according to the Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Chief, Mark Baxter:
"Wildfires are pretty much happening continually. We've had two or three of them over the last couple of days, field fires, that are continually going, I think it's difficult to say that they won't be occurring because the grass is so timber dry. We are in the summer holiday period, so there's more people out and about enjoying themselves. We are in the middle of the height of the farming season as well. So there's lots of activities going on around all of our countryside.
"High activity does increase the risk of fire. So absolutely, I'll be expecting that there will be more field fires, and more wildfires across the county over the coming days and weeks."
The latest figures for the county show that during April - July there were 607 wildfires - 314 of these in July.
Last year, the same 4-month period saw just 286 wildfires.
With a total number of fires in this small period of time, topping 600, it has meant that the Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service has seen almost a year's worth of callouts in just 4 months, with an average of the last 5 years at 757 wildfires per year.
Fire Chiefs are now urging people to not light campfires or disposable barbecues in after the number of wildfires have more than doubled.
Other advice to avoid wildfires includes:
· not throwing cigarette ends out of car windows
· always make sure cigarettes are fully extinguished and cool before they are disposed of.
· sunlight shining through glass can start fires outdoors - take glass bottles/jars home or put them in a covered bin.
Another aspect that the Fire Service have found in the county is deliberate fires. Mr Baxter says it puts further pressure on them:
"Unfortunately, we do still have the occasions where we have a deliberate fire setting in some of these areas, and that is a real concern for us, because actually, we've seen the devastation that these fires can have.
"Also the fact that actually responding to deliberate fires, take our operational crews away from being available from other incidents across the county. That is unfortunately, still something that we're having to manage."
If you see or know child or young person who you worry is setting fires or has an unhealthy fascination with fire, you can refer them to the Firesetters Intervention Scheme.
Lastly Mr Baxter said:
"Please be aware that actually, all of our countryside's, and our fields are wonderful places to visit, but please always be aware that actually it will only take a spark for those areas to be set alight."