TWO years on since Wareham Forest was devastated by a wildfire, Forestry England is seeking to highlight the risk of barbecues in the countryside.
The blaze, which raged for 17 days, destroyed 220 hectares of forestry and was believed to have been started by discarded disposable barbecues.
To mark the two year anniversary today (May 18) Forestry England is asking visitors to forests and beauty sports to #BringAPicnicNotABBQ to help prevent a similar incident.
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Land the area of 350 football pitches was scorched and is expected to take a decade to fully recover. In the run up to the fire’s anniversary, Forestry England said they had noted an increase in reported incidents involving campfires and barbecues.
In recent weeks there have been two fires at Canford Heath - both currently under police investigation.
Mark Warn, Wildlife Ranger for Forestry England in Dorset said: “Wareham Forest is still visibly scarred by the huge wildfire that engulfed it two years ago and it will take many years to fully recover. Despite this clear example of the damage fire can cause, we are still finding discarded BBQs and campfires. Please help us protect these special places by leaving barbecues at home. Bring a picnic instead, it’s just not worth the risk.”
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Area Manager Marc House, Head of Prevention at Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “As the warm and dry weather continues, we know people will be drawn out and about to our countryside areas. We want to be sure that the local area stays as safe as it can be for everyone. If you’re visiting our heathlands, woodlands or countryside, please avoid having a campfire and take a picnic rather than use a disposable barbecue – just a few simple steps can make a real difference to preventing fire from starting."
Disposable barbecues and fires of any kind are banned in areas operated by Forestry England whilst there is also a ban imposed by Dorset Council across areas of the county with fines of up to £100.
For more information on areas where the ban is in place visit https://explorer.geowessex.com/cside/nobbq
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