Stark reminder of wildfire risk in Wiltshire
Flames rip through fields at two separate incidents
Last updated 7th Aug 2022
There's another clear reminder about how high the risk of wildfires is in Wiltshire.
Yesterday (Saturday 6 Aug) crews from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue tackled two separate blazes, one in fields near the A338 and Wick Farm at Downton, and another on farmland not far from Stonehenge.
Huge plumes of smoke from both fires could be seen for miles around.
Wildfires pose an enormous risk to life, property, as well as devastating the local environment and wildlife.
The county is still on high alert for wildfires, especially with the hot dry weather set to continue and the daytime temperatures set to ramp-up again next week.
With no end in sight yet to the dry weather, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is reminding people to take extra care when enjoying the outdoors.
Group Manager Dave Waters said:
“The lack of rain means the ground is really dry, and any fire will spread even more quickly than usual as a result. The risk is as great in your garden as it is on a heathland but taking extra care, and perhaps doing things a bit differently to usual, can make a huge difference to staying safe.”
Please follow these fire safety top tips:
Extinguish cigarettes properly, and don’t throw cigarette ends on the ground or out of car windows – take your litter home.
If you see a fire in the countryside, get to a safe place and call 999 to report it immediately to the Fire & Rescue Service. Please provide as much detail as possible about location – the What3Words or other location apps can help – and wait for help to arrive.
There's more information about staying safe outdoors here.