Summer safety

I’m Dave Hughes, Head of Fire Safety and Western Area.

My role is all about keeping everyone safe and helping to prevent fires from happening in the first place.

I’d like to talk to you about some common summertime fires - during warmer weather, the grass and vegetation is generally dry, which means if you accidentally start a fire outdoors it can spread very quickly, destroying everything in its path. Add in a light summer breeze and the fire will spread even more rapidly.

I’m sure we have all seen the dramatic photos from a number of wildfires over recent months.  Many of these fires caused multiple calls to the control room from concerned members of the public. Each small fire has the potential to tie up resources for hours and prevent us from attending other life threatening incidents elsewhere.A flicked cigarette from a car window, a barbecue that sets fire to a hedge, or a bonfire left unattended could start a fire that destroys acres of countryside, forestry, crops and wildlife.

The controlled burning season for farmers and landowners is now over – but I am aware that some people like to dispose of rubbish or cuttings through bonfires in their back gardens over the summer months. I’d appeal to them to think carefully before doing so, and if they do go ahead, to ensure safety precautions are in place and that our control room has been notified on 01931 522 006.