Countryside left smouldering after abandoned barbecues cause wildfires across the UK

He added: "We urge people to enjoy the moorlands, but not light barbecues or camp fires.

“They are not only putting the individuals at risk who are lighting them, but they also harm our firefighters, other people enjoying exercise on the moors and the wildlife on the moors."

Quickly

Paul Hedley, National Fire Chiefs Council wildfire lead, said: “These large-scale fires are a stark reminder as to just how quickly they can take hold.

“By their very nature, this type of fire is resource intensive and incredibly challenging for Fire and Rescue Services and the impact is huge, not just to the local environment and wildlife but also to the lives of those who live nearby.”

It is feared some of the fires could take days to extinguish and will have a damaging impact on UK moorland.

Reckless

NFU uplands chairman, Thomas Binns, said: “The dry weather is taking its toll on the uplands.

“We are seeing an influx of visitors to the countryside and while most are acting responsibly, these moorland fires have been started by reckless behaviour.

“Years of environmental scheme policies favouring destocked moorland have seen a large increase in fuel load in these areas, which would have naturally been reduced by sheep grazing the vegetation in the past.

"This has dried out in the last few months, and I am extremely worried we are witnessing fires so early into the summer season.

“It is clear these out of control fires will have caused huge environmental damage to wildlife and habitats, as well as putting peoples’ lives at risk. Having barbecues on moorland is completely inexcusable behaviour.”

There has also been calls from the farming community for disposable barbecues to be banned in public places and for shops to stop selling them.

Reactions

Just back from #LongridgeFell Fire. 10 Fire Engines approx 60 Firefighters and partner agencies. Breaks being cut through the dense woodland. Fire spreading both over and underground. Crews working hard. pic.twitter.com/wCMhcpNBZZ

— CFO Justin Johnston (@Lancs_FireDCFO)

Just back from #LongridgeFell Fire. 10 Fire Engines approx 60 Firefighters and partner agencies. Breaks being cut through the dense woodland. Fire spreading both over and underground. Crews working hard. pic.twitter.com/wCMhcpNBZZ

— CFO Justin Johnston (@Lancs_FireDCFO) June 1, 2020

Gates left wide open=cattle escaping. People lighting BBQ’s in tinder-dry fields = danger to #wildlife @BorisJohnson #GeorgeEustace at next briefing pls advise: keep BBQ’s at home & follow the #countrysidecode @DefraGovUK @NFUtweets @NFUPolitical @Minette_Batters @NFUCountryside pic.twitter.com/VMqCsWlBKt

— Manor Farm Surrey (@ManorFarmWotton)

Gates left wide open=cattle escaping. People lighting BBQ’s in tinder-dry fields = danger to #wildlife @BorisJohnson #GeorgeEustace at next briefing pls advise: keep BBQ’s at home & follow the #countrysidecode @DefraGovUK @NFUtweets @NFUPolitical @Minette_Batters @NFUCountryside pic.twitter.com/VMqCsWlBKt

— Manor Farm Surrey (@ManorFarmWotton) May 31, 2020

Please keep your BBQ’s at home! A fire last night in woodland on the estate, fantastic effort by @DerbyshireFRS @BakewellFire and the @ChatsworthHouse fire team. All out this morning👍 pic.twitter.com/xMo1eZoiP8

— David Howlett (@beefsheep)

Please keep your BBQ’s at home! A fire last night in woodland on the estate, fantastic effort by @DerbyshireFRS @BakewellFire and the @ChatsworthHouse fire team. All out this morning\uD83D\uDC4D pic.twitter.com/xMo1eZoiP8

— David Howlett (@beefsheep) May 30, 2020

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Lancashire Fire Service says it may be time to consider banning disposable BB’’s in public places after a BBQ tray set fire to the moors above Darwen. Fire crews are also dealing with a major fire at Longridge Fell. A drone took these pictures: pic.twitter.com/YEym0XQig1

— BBC North West (@BBCNWT)

Lancashire Fire Service says it may be time to consider banning disposable BBQ's in public places after a BBQ tray set fire to the moors above Darwen. Fire crews are also dealing with a major fire at Longridge Fell. A drone took these pictures: pic.twitter.com/YEym0XQig1

— BBC North West (@BBCNWT) June 1, 2020

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We’ve got six fire engines, three Land Rover pumps, a Unimog and a support appliance back at #warehamforest after the weather conditions led to multiple flare-ups that need damping down. Please avoid the area to help us. pic.twitter.com/xnyb92XxUe

— Dorset&Wiltshire FRS (@DWFireRescue)

We’ve got six fire engines, three Land Rover pumps, a Unimog and a support appliance back at #warehamforest after the weather conditions led to multiple flare-ups that need damping down. Please avoid the area to help us. pic.twitter.com/xnyb92XxUe

— Dorset&Wiltshire FRS (@DWFireRescue) May 31, 2020

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Firefighters tackle almost 70 deliberate wildfires in one weekend in South Wales. Crews have attended large fires in #Newport & #Rhondda|>
This is unacceptable & a drain on critical resources.
These fires are extremely dangerous & put lives at risk.

More:t.co/FWpqjh9aDj pic.twitter.com/cRcB978v7U

— South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (@SWFireandRescue)

Firefighters tackle almost 70 deliberate wildfires in one weekend in South Wales. Crews have attended large fires in #Newport & #Rhondda.

This is unacceptable & a drain on critical resources.
These fires are extremely dangerous & put lives at risk.

More:https://t.co/FWpqjh9aDj pic.twitter.com/cRcB978v7U

— South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (@SWFireandRescue) June 1, 2020

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Good move by the Spar in Hathersage 👍 pic.twitter.com/ZS0Xr8tWkM

— Simon Walkden (@mazymixer

Good move by the Spar in Hathersage \uD83D\uDC4D pic.twitter.com/ZS0Xr8tWkM

— Simon Walkden (@mazymixer) May 31, 2020

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