Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) is urging the public to be cautious when out in the county, especially in rural settings, following the risk of wildfires being raised to ‘severe’ in the area by the Natural Hazards Partnership.

Wildfires have the potential to burn for days and devastate vast areas of land and wildlife. If they get out of control, they can threaten the welfare of nearby communities too.

Dry ground in the summer means there is an added risk of a fire starting, but caution should be taken at all times of the year.  Follow these tips to reduce the chance of a wildfire in the countryside:

• Extinguish cigarettes properly and do not throw cigarette ends on the ground – take your litter home.
• Never throw cigarette ends out of car windows.
• Avoid using open fires in the countryside.
• Do not leave bottles or glass in woodland – sunlight shining through glass can start fires (take them home and recycle them).
• Only use barbecues in a suitable and safe area and never leave them unattended.
• If you see a fire in the countryside, report it to the fire and rescue service immediately.

Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service’s Head of Prevention and Area Manager, Ian Seel said:

“We are asking the public to think and act with extreme caution and think twice before using anything involving a naked flame in a rural setting.

“Many rural and remote communities are hugely impacted by wildfires, which can cause significant damage.

“Livestock, land and wildlife can all be devastated by these fires – as can the lives of people living and working in rural communities.

“These fires can also have a hugely negative impact on the environment and the release of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.

“Human behaviour can significantly lower the chance of a wildfire starting, so it is crucial that people act safely and responsibly in rural environments, and always follow the Countryside Code.”