Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is reminding people of the dangers of using naked flame near heathland, following a fire at Stoborough Heath over the weekend.
Around a hectare of grassland, heath and gorse was affected by the blaze, which started accidentally when a portable ‘kettle drum’ barbecue was lit and the strong winds caused the adjacent hedge to catch alight.
At the height of the incident, crews from Wareham, Poole (x3), Swanage, Redhill Park, Westbourne, Springbourne and Wimborne were on scene, together with a small 4×4 appliance from Swanage, water carriers from Ringwood and Bridport, a support unit from Hamworthy, and the Unimog from Wareham – approx. 50 firefighters.
After the first of numerous 999 calls were received at 2.21pm, the nearby A351 between Wareham and Swanage was closed for several hours while the fire was tackled. By 4pm, the fire was under control but crews remained on scene until after midnight, dealing with hotspots and damping down.
Group Manager Charlie Pack said: “This incident shows just how careful we need people to be when they’re near heathland. The barbecue was only a couple of metres away from the hedgerow and the strong winds caused the flames to quickly take hold and spread. Our crews did a great job in getting the fire surrounded, but there has still been significant damage to the countryside, which could have been avoided with a bit more thought.”
The Fire and Rescue Service has recently launched its #BringAPicnicNotABBQ campaign, to highlight the risks of using barbecues in the open. Everyone is asked to follow this advice:
- Avoid having open fires or using barbecues in the countryside.
- Barbecues and campfires are banned in many country parks, campsites and open spaces. Make sure you check what is and isn’t allowed where you are, and follow the rules.
- Extinguish smoking materials properly, and 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, report it immediately to the Fire & Rescue Service. Early detection can prevent it from developing into a large wildfire incident.
When calling the Fire & Rescue Service:
- Get to a safe place
- note the fire location (What3Words can help if you’re not sure)
- call 999
- meet the Fire & Rescue Service at the entrance.
More information about staying safe outdoors can be found at dwfire.org.uk