Heatwave sparks wildfire warnings

Help prevent fires causing danger to lives and property this summer by taking sensible precautions.

That’s the message from Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue following increases in wildfires across the county.

The service was called out to 384 outdoor fires across the county last summer and this year crews responded to 153 in June alone

With these incidents affecting dozens of homes and destroying hundreds of acres of countryside and wildlife habitats the service stresses it is vitally important to follow simple, common-sense fire safety advice.

Amanda Matson, head of community fire prevention said: “Lincolnshire’s suffered from some extremely dry conditions caused by several heatwaves this year, which has seen a sharp spike in outdoor fires we’ve attended.

“There’s been a period of rain but we’re due another heatwave, meaning the ground will quickly dry up again. And, when it does, the grass almost acts like a tinderbox – any heat source can cause fires that are more likely to get out of control and spread rapidly.

“Recently, we’ve seen large wildfires in other parts of the country, like at Dorset Heath, Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh, and internationally in Spain and Portugal.

“These fires don’t start big. But the dry conditions mean they grow into large scale incidents – often taking days to extinguish - extremely quickly.

“Most outdoor fires are caused accidentally, and that’s why it’s so important to avoid taking risks with fire.

“That means, not using disposable barbecues, making sure cigarettes are fully extinguished and properly disposed of, and not lighting bonfires to dispose of waste – take it to your local household waste recycling centre instead.”

Key safety advice

• Avoid using disposable barbecues or lighting open fires such as campfires and bonfires
• Fully extinguish cigarettes and dispose of properly when cool
• Take your litter home – especially glass bottles and jars
• Keep extinguishers or water sources nearby

If you’re going on holiday this summer, find out what you need to know to stay fire safe through our fire safety shorts for caravans and self-catered accommodation: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLL2ZK9CqKpu940DbnuRZOU_pxj690iCuG