Firefighters launch wildfire campaign

Firefighters have launched a campaign to combat potentially deadly wildfires this summer and are encouraging people to become ‘Wildfire Warriors.’

Visiting Aylesbeare Common, the location of a previous wildfire, they showcased specialist vehicles and demonstrated the equipment they use to tackle fast-spreading wildfires in Devon and Somerset.

The common was the site of a huge wildfire back in 2011, which destroyed around eight-and-half acres of scrub and woodland.

Simon Lott, a Watch Manager from Middlemoor Fire Station in Exeter, was on hand to talk about the impact of wildfires, which he said could be caused by something as simple as throwing a lit cigarette on the ground, or by the sun reflecting off a discarded glass bottle.

He explained: “It’s crucial that people are extra vigilant as we move into the dry summer season, when we see a huge increase in wildfires in Devon and Somerset. Just one unguarded flame can lead to fires spreading across miles of land.

“We want to encourage people exploring our beautiful regions this summer to be safe and prevent wildfires, by avoiding open fires and taking picnics, disposing of cigarettes and litter properly, and reporting any signs of fire to us.”

During 2023 we responded to 970 outdoor fires, many of which rapidly escalated due to dry weather and ground conditions. These incidents happened throughout Devon and Somerset.

Simon added: “Not only do wildfires put the lives of our communities and our firefighters at risk, but they also have long-term impacts on ecosystems and the creatures that call it home.”

To help raise awareness of the plight of threatened species at risk of wildfires, we have teamed up with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), who own part of Aylesbeare Common.

Species under threat include the Dartford Warbler, Stonechat, Nightjar, Adder, Grass Snake, Smooth Snake, Common Lizard and Slow Worm – all which nest on or near to the ground making them vulnerable to fire.

The common is also home to Southern Damselfly and the rare Silver-Studded Blue, Small Heath and Pearl Bordered Fritillary butterflies. As well as special bog plants, wild orchids and the reserve’s grazing Dartmoor and Exmoor Ponies and Cattle, which help manage RSPB Aylesbeare for wildlife.

Toby Taylor, RSPB’s Site Manager at Aylesbeare, said: “We are really grateful for the care and caution that most of our visitors take when exploring our nature reserves and wider countryside. However, fires can be started by items that people wouldn’t even consider a risk.

“Heathland is one of the few habitats that is extremely flammable in the dry summer months, vast areas of highly designated heathland habitat are vulnerable to accidental wildfires, we work hard to keep the habitat in good condition and suitable for all our native wildlife, a single slip of concentration or accidental source of ignition can lead to massive destruction of this very rare and precious habitat.

“All it takes is a gust of wind to carry the spark a short distance to the dry and highly flammable heathland vegetation. And depending on the remoteness of the location, it can be really challenging for our local fire service to reach the area easily.”

There are three simple criteria for becoming a ‘Wildfire Warrior’:

• take rubbish home
• have a picnic instead of a BBQ
• respect the landscape and wildlife.