'Severe chance' of wildfires as dry spell continues

A leading firefighter has warned hikers about the risk of wildfires after the recent spell of dry weather.

Nick Lacey, station manager at Glossop Fire & Rescue Service, said there is “a severe chance of having a wildfire” after the recent spell of sunny weather left vegetation on the moors bone dry. 

Most wildfires are preventable and often caused by human activity, such as disposable barbecues, discarded cigarette butts or campfires. 

“Conditions are really dry and we’ve got plenty of wind,” Mr Lacey said in a video on the fire station’s social media channels. “What we’re asking people to do, given the dryness and the conditions that we’ve got on the moors, is not to bring [disposable barbecues] up and cook on the moors. 

“If you want to enjoy the countryside, bring your own food and make sure you take any rubbish home with you.” 

The firefighter said that a single disposable barbecue has been responsible for a fire that engulfed 1,800 acres of moorland – almost three square miles, or the size of 900 football pitches – which as well as killing plant life, destroys habitats for animals and ground nesting birds. 

“Fighting wildfires is a very hard and arduous task,” Mr Lacey added. “Our crew works in a very, very hazardous environment to enable us to extinguish that fire. 

“Support us, act responsibly, and keep our firefighters out of that risk.”