Norfolk Fire and Rescue say they've 'doubled efforts' to prepare for hot weather
The risk of wildfires has been raised to 'very high' in our county and across the East of England by the Met Office
Last updated 16th Jun 2023
Norfolk Fire has told us they've 'doubled its efforts' to prepare for this summer's hot weather.
It comes as the risk of wildfires has been raised to 'very high' in our county and across the East of England by the Met Office, with the current heatwave and a lack of rain creating tinder-dry conditions - meaning any fire started could be severe
"Bonfires becoming out of control"
Terry Pinto is from Norfolk Fire:
"Common causes of fires this week are people using portable BBQs in open grassland areas or on the edges of forests.
"Bonfires becoming out of control because the ground is so dry and things are so warm that fire spreads even easier than normally if somebody was having a bonfire in the winter"
"We are working with our community to make sure that the right connectors are being fitted on their end and we have the right connectors as well, so that in the event of water suppliers being scarce, as they are in a rural area.
"We know where these emergency suppliers are and we have got the agreement from farmers and landowners beforehand to just use that water."
"We want to make sure everyone is as protected as possible"
"We have got in new light, firefighting personal protective equipment for staff so they are better protected while working long arduous hours in wildfire conditions. This will going out in the next few weeks"
"We have increased our welfare provision for crews because last year we saw that some left station and didn't return home for almost 24 hours as they were going from job to job, and we want to make sure everyone is as protected as possible."