If British Summer Time and warmer days means you will be visiting one of Dorset & Wiltshire’s local heathlands or outdoors spaces to enjoy the wildlife and wilderness, please take a picnic.
Wareham Forest
The Wareham Forest fire which occurred in May 2020, which is believed to have been started by a disposable barbecue, was one of the most devastating forest and heath fires in Dorset, in living memory. Firefighters, police officers, Forestry England rangers and many other partners were on the scene for over three weeks, working tirelessly in hot and arduous conditions to bring the major incident to a conclusion.
Disposable barbecues being left behind when still hot are a known cause of heath and forest fires, as are campfires. This campaign aims to reduce this risk by encouraging people to choose alternatives. It also highlights that barbecues and fires are banned on heathland, in forests and in many other high risk areas across Dorset, including at Wareham Forest.
Top Tips
We are asking people who are out and about to follow some simple steps:
- If you are enjoying our open spaces when a fire occurs, get to a safe place and call 999 with as much information as possible.
- Consider downloading and using What3Words to identify your exact location.
- You can also help by reporting any antisocial behaviour on the heath to the Police on 101.
Over the last three years, DWFRS have seen a steady increase in fires in the open with a spike in the summer of 2022. In 2021, 494 fires were dealt with, 911 in 2022 and 510 in 2023.
Anyone caught starting a fire on a heath will be prosecuted whether it is a case of deliberate arson or neglect, for example an unauthorised camp fire or a disposable BBQ that gets out of control. Wildfires cost lives not only to endangered plants and animals but also put people and houses in danger.
We need your help to protect our countryside. Please #BringAPicnicNotABBQ
