A MAJOR incident has been declared by Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) due to the high number of incidents impacting the area.
Drought conditions and extreme heat have prompted a red wildfire alert being issued along with an emergency alert sent to mobile phones.
DWFRS has said it is working hard to respond to emergency calls as quickly as possible and reassured the public that they would receive help when dialing 999 for the fire service, while also asking people to take extra precautions.
Advice given by the fire service includes extinguishing cigarettes properly, avoiding the use of barbecues, not having bonfires or fires in the open and safely reporting countryside fires.
Members of the public were also told not to attempt to tackle fires that can’t be put out with a bucket of water. People should instead leave the area as quickly as possible and alert the emergency services.
The fire service dealt with 277 grassland, woodland and crop fires during July. Picture: DWFRS
The service dealt with 277 grassland, woodland and crop fires during July, with DWFRS crews also assisting with wildfires in Suffolk and Hampshire.
The number of wildfire incidents made last month their second busiest for these types of incidents in the last five years – only August 2022 was busier, with 289.
Area Manager at DWFRS, Marc House, said: “The figures are reflective of how challenging this summer has been, but we are very grateful to the vast majority of people who have followed our advice and avoided activity that could lead to a fire starting. With no sign of rain in the coming days, and another heatwave due, we all need to remain cautious to reduce the risk of fire.”
The news comes alongside the Government sending out an Emergency Alert to people in England and Wales in a bid to protect communities from the growing threat posed by wildfires.
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The alert, which went out on Friday (August 14) from around 7pm, warned people not to light anything that could spark a fire, including barbecues, campfires, and fireworks. Recipients were also urged to report any fire immediately by calling 999.
The same day, Prime Minister Andy Burnham, also announced a package of immediate support for frontline services and communities hit by wildfires.
This includes emergency funding for fire and rescue services facing the greatest operational pressures and a temporary nationwide ban on the sale of disposable barbecues. Retailers have been informed that disposable barbecues must be removed from sale immediately.
The fire service dealt with 277 grassland, woodland and crop fires during July. Picture: DWFRS
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Angela Rayner said: “It is awful to see the devastation fires have caused across the country. I’m very grateful to all the first responders working so hard to keep people safe.”
In response to the Emergency Alert, a DWFRS spokesperson said: “The government has issued a temporary ban on the sale of disposable barbecues as they pose a ‘significant risk to the public’ during the current drought and heatwave conditions.
“This is really positive news, however, many of the fires we have been attending recently have been started by bonfires so please make sure you follow our previous advice and do not have any sort of fires in the open during these drought conditions.”
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