Concern about wildfires in the North York Moors National Park is growing, as a period of dry weather continues across the UK.
The low levels of recent rainfall, coupled with very dry ground vegetation such as heather and bracken, has forced the National Park Authority to officially announce a fire alert. Warning signs will now be erected across the North York Moors, advising people of the danger and how they can help reduce the risk.
The announcement comes following a fire on Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s Fen Bog nature reserve in the North York Moors last month, and as firefighters continue to battle an extremely serious fire in the Scottish Highlands and further fires on Marsden Moor in West Yorkshire.
Malcolm Hodgson, National Trails Officer for the North York Moors National Park, said:
“While the term ‘wildfire’ might lead people to think that these events are natural or spontaneous, it’s the actions of people that pose the greatest risks.
“Prolonged dry weather creates the right environment for fire to spread quickly and out of control, but the initial spark is nearly always due to human behaviour.
“Wildfires are a complete disaster for our very special habitats. It is devastating to see the damage they cause. Peatland fires are also extremely difficult to extinguish and release significant amounts of carbon into the atmosphere.”
People visiting the North York Moors are asked to be vigilant to the risks. Under no circumstance should anyone be using barbeques or lighting campfires, and great care should be taken when disposing of items such as cigarettes or glass bottles. This includes throwing cigarette ends out of car windows, which can lead to roadside fires that spread into sensitive landscapes.
If people see a fire, they should report it quickly to the fire service by dialling 999.
Scarborough Athletic Back in Play-Off Spots After Four-Some Victory
Hopes Rise That Endeavour Could Return to Whitby in 2028
Is £70k Too Much to Spend on Scarborough's Christmas Lights?
North Yorkshire Council Leaders to Discuss Public Toilet Fees
Scarborough NHS Diagnostics Centre Gets Official Go-Ahead
Humberside Police Call on Rural Horse Riders to Help Secure Neigh-bourhoods
Mixed Response to Policing Reforms on the Yorkshire Coast
Inspirational Survivor Takes on Whitby Steps Challenge Five Years After Horror Accident
Concern as Scarborough Town Council Reduces Council Tax Precept by 1% but Community Grants by 62%
Yorkshire Coast Braces for Wednesday Morning Ice
New Leisure Scheme Proposed for Whitby and Pickering
Improvements to Historic Cinder Track Gateways
Comments
Add a comment