Wildfire Risks - Please take Extra Care

Good Morning Everyone; 

I hope everyone is enjoying the fine summer weather this summer , we are of course currently experiencing a significant spell of dry hot weather. While the great weather is of course very welcome, the prolonged high temperatures, low rain and humidity and high winds can all make perfect conditions for wildfires to start and rapidly spread.
 

Each year fire destroys thousands of acres of countryside and wildlife habitats. Many of you will remember the devastating fires in Bolton and surrounding areas in Summer 2018. Emergency services from across the country worked for 41 days to tackle the fires which affected vast swathes of the Smithills estate and beyond. Increasingly firefighters are seeing wildfires at the rural / urban interface

This year alone firefighters in England and Wales have responded to 996 wildfires. Firefighters responded to a record 458 incidents in July and have already responded to 185 wildfire incidents in the first 10 days of August this year.  Increasingly fires are crossing the Rural / Urban interface evidenced by the Wennington wildfire that took place on 19th July 2022. This fire resulted in many residents needing to be evacuated and destroyed 16 homes.

We alongside our partners at Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service and Bolton Council are urging everyone to take extra care at this time. Be that at home, in the garden the countryside or at the beach. 

In 2023 GMP joined up with neighbouring councils, along with the Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service, Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service, and Lancashire Police to bring into force a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for parts of Chorley, Darwen and Bolton. 

The PSPO came into force on 21st August 2023 to prevent devastation to wildlife and reduce the risks of wildfire on the moors. The PSPO bans any activities on moorland that carry a significant risk of causing wildfires – such as lighting barbeques, building or lighting campfires or camping stoves, lighting fireworks, or setting off night-sky paper lanterns.

You can view the PSPO Documentation on the Bolton Council Website Here

Breaching the PSPO is a criminal offence and could result in a fine of up to £1,000.
 

 

While some fires are started deliberately, many are due to carelessness. We encourage everyone to enjoy the open spaces, but with care and responsibly.

While out enjoying the countryside or moorlands:

•           Never take a barbecue on the moors or to the countryside - it poses a huge risk of fire, is a risk to the environment.

•           Always extinguish your cigarette and any other smoking materials properly. Never throw your cigarette butt out of your car window - it could ruin whole fields of crops

•           Don't leave bottles or glass on moorland or in woodlands. Sunlight shining through the glass can start large fires. Take them home or put them in the waste or recycling bin.

•           Never start a fire of any kind for any reason - it may seem a good idea at the time, but a fire in the open can easily get out of control

•           Keep children away from matches, cigarettes and open fires

•           If you see a fire in the countryside, report it immediately. Leave the area as soon as possible and dial 999 immediately and give as much information as possible consider.

•           You can Anonymously report deliberate fire-setting to  on the FireStoppers  webpage or call 0800 169 5558
 

Officers from GMP and partner agencies patrol at-risk areas during hot and busy days, reminding people of their responsibilities and to ensure that those who are out enjoying themselves in a safe and responsible manner. This is why some of you may have seen us on foot or cycle on the moors over the last few weeks. With the dry conditions expected to continue officers will continue to patrol high risk areas and dealing with those who put our countryside and wildlife at risk.