Grass fire prevention
Every year, fire is responsible for the destruction of thousands of acres of countryside and more often than not, these fires are preventable.
One small fire can quickly get out of hand and become a fast spreading grass fire, particularly during periods of hot, dry weather. These fires have a devastating impact on landscapes, wildlife and communities. They also put a strain on firefighters, who are often needed elsewhere.
Grass fire prevention tips
There are a number of things you can do to prevent grass fires:
- Don’t have open fires or BBQs in the countryside – they can easily set fire to the ground and spread.
- Keep matches and lighters out of children and young peoples' reach – talk to them about the dangers of starting fires outside. Find out more about our Don’t be Blamed for the Flames campaign.
- Discard of cigarettes appropriately – make sure they are put out properly and disposed of in dedicated bins and never throw cigarette ends out of car window.
- Take your rubbish home or put it in a nearby bin – glass bottles can cause a fire when sunlight shines through so don’t leave them on the ground.
If you see a fire
If you find a fire in the countryside, or see a campfire or BBQ that has spread, don’t attempt to tackle it yourself.
- Call 999 and ask for the fire service
- Provide as much information as possible about the location of the fire – use What3Words for an exact pinpoint