With the current spell of hot, dry weather, we are asking residents to avoid lighting bonfires.
After several weeks of warm temperatures and little rainfall, fields, grass, hedgerows and woodland have become extremely dry. This means that even a small spark or a wind-blown ember from a bonfire can quickly ignite surrounding vegetation and lead to a fast-moving grass or field fire. This includes throwing cigarettes from car windows.
These fires can spread rapidly, putting people, homes, wildlife and farmland at risk. Firefighters are often dealing with an increased number of outdoor fires during hot weather, so preventing avoidable incidents is vital.
While there is no general ban on bonfires in the UK during hot weather, everyone has a responsibility to act safely and consider the wider impact on their community. If you have garden waste to dispose of, please consider composting it, taking it to your local household waste recycling centre, or waiting until cooler, wetter weather before lighting a bonfire.
By taking a few simple precautions, we can all help reduce the risk of devastating grass and field fires and keep our community safe.