Following more than 25 wildfire incidents in the last weekend of March 2022 alone, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) is urging the public to take additional precautions. In one of the incidents, a large-scale wildfire in Devon and Somerset has called in ten fire appliances in attendance, with alerts out for similar fires in both South Wales and Lancashire, in the United Kingdom (UK).
In addition, a six hectare wildfire in East Sussex has also been reported on Tuesday, March 22, 2022. Till date in 2022, there have already been more than 70 significant wildfires across England and Wales, in the UK, showing how serious the issue is this early into the year.
High cases of wildfires in the UK
Over the last weekend, firefighters tackled wildfires that broke out in Cornwall, Wales, Cumbria and areas of the Pennines, along with incidents in Derbyshire, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and Lancashire, in the United Kingdom. With the additional incidents reported on March 22, 2022, firefighters across the UK will be battling these wildfires over the coming days.
According to the NFCC, the dry weather conditions that the United Kingdom is currently experiencing – combined with strong winds and dead vegetation that has built up over the winter, can lead to spate conditions for such fires and makes fighting and controlling wildfires incredibly difficult.
Wildfires result in sustained and prolonged operations
Wildfires often result in sustained and prolonged operations by UK fire & rescue services and other partner agencies
Wildfires often result in sustained and prolonged operations by UK fire & rescue services and other partner agencies. Often, firefighters from across the country will be deployed to deal with just one wildfire, in a different part of the country, depending on its severity. This includes specialist equipment, tools and vehicles, as well as national tactical advisers to give expert help and assistance on how to tackle them.
As the weather improves and temperatures rise, the National Fire Chiefs Council is calling on the public to ensure they are not putting the green spaces and natural habitat at risk. While encouraging people to enjoy the countryside, the NFCC urges the general public to follow simple measures that can help prevent wildfire incidents.
Avoiding barbeques or campfires
Fire chiefs and fire services across the United Kingdom are urging the public to enjoy the countryside responsibly, by asking them not to have barbeques or campfires, and to ensure that cigarettes are fully extinguished, before disposing of them.
Paul Hedley, the National Fire Chiefs Council’s (NFCC) Wildfire Lead points out, “We have seen over 20 wildfires in just one weekend. These can take hold incredibly quickly, destroying land and habitats, while impacting on local communities. They also create one of the most challenging incidents for firefighters, as they not only battle with the fire itself, but also the weather conditions.”
Fully extinguishing cigarettes
Paul Hedley adds, “We want the public to enjoy our wonderful green spaces, but the use of portable barbecues and campfires can be catastrophic for our countryside. Even a poorly discarded cigarette or a glass bottle can spark a wildfire, leading to a major incident.”