Wildfire Safety Advice
We want to keep you and our countryside safe from the dangers of wildfires and fires in the open. Wildfires are very dangerous, spreading fast, changing direction, and threatening wildlife, livestock, domestic animals, the environment, property, and people.
Prepare for the risk of wildfire
- Have an escape plan for your safety in the event of a wildfire.
- Make sure your family members (or members of staff, if you run a business in a rural area) know what to do and where to assemble, including how you will round up and care for pets and domestic animals in the event of a wildfire.
- If appropriate, discuss this escape plan with your neighbours.
- If you live in a rural area, make sure your home number or name is clearly visible from the road or main access point – so the firefighters can easily locate your address in the event of a fire.
- Download the what3words App, which makes it easier ito pinpoint your exact location.
- Check the current wildfire risk in your area (based on weather conditions) using the Met Office Fire Severity Index.
How you can prevent wildfires
- Take your litter home.
- Discard of cigarettes carefully. Never throw cigarette ends on the ground or out of car windows.
- Glass in direct sunlight can cause fires - ensure there is none lying around.
- Don’t have campfires or barbecues in the countryside. Only have them in safe designated areas.
- Avoid having bonfires in very dry weather. If you must have a bonfire, follow our bonfire safety advice.
- Talk to your children about the dangers of playing with fire and matches. Keep matches and lighters stored well away from children and teenagers.
Report irresponsible behaviour
Many wildfires are started deliberately or are due to careless, reckless, or irresponsible behaviour. If you see or suspect someone of acting suspiciously, recklessly, or irresponsibly in the countryside contact the Police on 101 or pass information anonymously to FireStoppers on 0800 169 5558
Always report anyone acting irresponsibly or carelessly with fire in the countryside.
Causes of wildfires
Wildfires are mostly started by human activity - either deliberate or accidental. On rare occasions, fires can be started by a lightning strike.
Only 10-15% of wildfires happen on their own in nature.
Most are started by human actions such as:
- campfires
- barbecues
- bonfires
- discarded cigarettes
- fires spreading from vehicles or farm machinery
- sunlight magnified by glass bottles sparking a fire
- planned and controlled burning that gets out of control
- arson.
It is often the weather conditions that determine how much a wildfire spreads. Strong winds, high temperatures or low rainfall can all leave trees, shrubs, fallen leaves and grass, dry and primed to fuel a fire.
