Beds FRS: Enjoying our beautiful countryside this summer

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service is joining RSPB to ask people to help protect Bedfordshire’s RSPB nature reserves and wider countryside from wildfires this summer.

 The appeal is being made to help prevent fires, keep people safe and protect the region’s valuable greenspaces, and the wildlife that live there, ahead of the summer months.

2023 was confirmed as the world’s hottest year on record according to the Met Office and 2024 could be another year of high temperatures, risking heatwaves and fires across the country.

 Station Commander Steve Fowler, Prevention Manager at the fire service, said:“Wildfires can ravage the local wildlife, destroying ecosystems in a matter of hours that have taken years to build up. Most heath fires start with human intervention, whether that’s carelessness or a deliberate act, so we need everyone who enjoys our beautiful open spaces across England to work with us to help protect them.

 “Seemingly extinguished bonfires and barbeques often pose a continued risk of causing wildfires. Residual heat and embers can cause hidden smouldering fires underground, sometimes for a number of days, before spreading to surface vegetation. These unseen fires can be particularly challenging for firefighters to detect and extinguish and can easily spread unnoticed.”

 Taking care not to start wildfires has never been so important. Climate change means that in the UK, and around the world, extreme weather events such as heatwaves are becoming more frequent, long-lasting, and intense. This extreme weather is increasing the scale, intensity, and frequency of wildfires all over the world. 

Bedfordshire countryside provides a home for a unique mix of wildlife. These include breeding Hobby, Nightjar, Raven, Linnet, Stonechat and Natterjack Toad on the heath. Large flocks of Thrushes and farmland birds visit in the winter, and Nuthatches, Woodpeckers, and Spotted Flycatchers search for food for their broods in the summer woodlands.

Peter Bradley, Senior Site Manager at RSPB The Lodge, said: “We are really grateful for the care and caution that most of our visitors take when exploring RSPB sites and the wider countryside. However, fires can be started by items that people wouldn’t even consider a risk. The use of disposable barbecues is not allowed at RSPB sites as they are an obvious fire risk for green spaces, but even a glass drinks bottle left in dry heather, grasses or leaves can start a fire on a sunny day. And a discarded cigarette-end flicked can quickly turn into a blaze.

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

 “We want to thank Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service - without their tireless work and swift action we wouldn’t have our special Bedfordshire countryside to enjoy safely.”

 Follow these steps to help prevent wildfires:

• Avoid having open fires or using barbecues in the countryside.
• Barbecues and campfires are banned in many country parks, campsites and open spaces. Make sure you check what is and isn’t allowed where you are and follow the rules.
• Extinguish smoking materials properly, and don’t throw cigarette ends on the ground or out of car windows – take your litter home.
• If you see a fire in the countryside, call 999 and report it immediately to the Fire and Rescue Service. Early detection can prevent it from developing into a large wildfire incident.

 For more information on how to prevent wildfire outbreaks, visit: https://www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happening/news/prevent-wildfire-outbreaks