Uncontrolled wildfires in sensitive upland areas like the North Pennines cause long–lasting damage to wildlife and the land and have a significant, negative impact on rural communities.
Cigarettes, discarded glass bottles, BBQs and dropped matches can all cause uncontrolled fires – particularly during dry spells in the spring and summer. Fires are fatal to important animals and plants and devastating to the landscape.
There are simple actions that we can all take to prevent fires.
• Make sure that cigarettes and matches are extinguished before disposing of them appropriately.
• Do not have open fires, campfires or BBQs in the countryside.
• Take all litter home – discarded cigarettes, vapes, matches and glass bottles can ignite dry vegetation.
• Take care when parking vehicles, do not block access roads, tracks or gates.
• Be aware that vehicle exhausts can get very hot and if parked on dry vegetation they might start a fire.
• Be particularly vigilant in the uplands during any periods of warm, dry weather, and even more so when this coincides with strong winds.
• Follow all warning signs about fire risk – they are there for your safety.
• Report any fire or smoke – call 999 immediately!
• If you see fire or smoke, it is important that you get yourself out of any danger and report it immediately – call 999. Delays in reporting wildfires mean that the damage caused is greater.
When you call 999, ask for the fire and rescue service then you will be asked to answer a series of questions relating to the incident including your location and the location of the smoke or fire. If you do not know exactly where you are, give the operator details about the nearest village, or the point where you started from or are heading to, and any significant landmarks. You can use the app what3words to help you determine the location.
If you call during the moorland burning season (1 October – 15 April), the operator will check against a list of known controlled burning for the day.
Do not be afraid to make a call.
