Amber wildfire alert issued for Dorset

An amber alert's been issued for the risk of wildfires across Dorset this weekend, as temperatures rise.

There's a warning from the Natural Hazards Partnership that current dry conditions increase the likelihood of fire and that any blaze breaking out would be difficult to control.

A number of heathfires have already occurred in Dorset this year - including incidents sat Bourne Valley near Poole yesterday evening (Monday 22nd May).

It's believed those fires may have been started deliberately.

Andy Elliott, the Wildfire Tactical Advisor for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said:

“This time of year can be particularly difficult for wildfires. Much of the vegetation is still dead from the winter and it dries out rapidly when the sun starts to warm things up, particularly if there is a drying wind. Please take great care and avoid having bonfires or campfires in the open to help us protect our wonderful heathland habitats and people’s homes."

Disposable barbecues and campfires are banned on heathland, in forests and in many other high-risk areas across Dorset, including at Wareham Forest.

DWFRS is urging people to bring picnics instead, with a social media campaign called #BringAPicnicNotABBQ

Fire safety top tips include:

• Don’t have barbecues or campfires on the heath or in open spaces; the risk of a fire starting is too great

• Extinguish cigarettes properly, 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, call 999 and report it immediately to the Fire & Rescue Service. Please provide as much detail as possible about location and access, but also make sure you are in a safe place

Group Manager Graham Kewley said:

“While the warm, dry weather forecast for the coming days is most welcome, especially with the Bank Holiday and half term, it does significantly increase the risk of wildfire. Disposable barbecues left behind while still hot, and campfires that aren’t extinguished properly, are common causes of fires in the open, so we would urge people not to use these while out and about in our beautiful countryside.”

Paul Attwell, Team Manager at The Urban Heaths Partnership said:

“Heathland wildfires can put the public and firefighters at risk and be devastating to endangered plants and animals, as well as putting nearby homes in danger. Please take additional care and be extra vigilant during warm weather and report anything that looks like a possible fire, don’t wait and think someone else will report it. During this time, we will increase partnership staff and volunteers on site to help prevent large fires."

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