Warning issued after Kings Gardens Grass Fires

Warning issued after Kings Gardens Grass Fires

We’ve all seen the recent news footage of Fire, Police and Ambulance services, supported by members of the armed forces, dealing with grassland fires on Saddleworth Moor and at Winter Hill. Both of these fires were declared as major incidents and placed a huge demand on the emergency services, and continue to do so.

Closer to home, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service have attended fires at Formby and Ainsdale woods (at least one of which was caused by a barbecue) and a grass fire at Weld Road. Pictured is the result of someone’s barbecue on the grass at Kings Gardens.

We all have a responsibility to help reduce incidents like this and reduce demand on the emergency services. With this in mind, and the hot weather set to continue, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service have put out the following safety advice:

“To help combat these risks MFRS is issuing the following guidance for residents to follow:

•Ensure cigarettes are extinguished correctly and cannot reignite – don’t throw cigarette ends on the ground – take your litter home.

•Never throw cigarette ends out of car windows.

•Avoid using open fires in the countryside.

•Don’t leave bottles or glass in woodland – sunlight shining through glass can start fires (take them home and recycle them).

•Only use barbecues in a suitable and safe area and never leave them unattended.

•If you see a fire, report it to the fire and rescue service immediately by calling 999 and give the nearest main road that the fire appliance can access.

•Don’t attempt to tackle fires– leave the area as quickly as possible.

During the current hot spell there is also an increased risk of fires being started deliberately.
In the last week fire crews have attended 112 fires involving grassland, 78 of which are suspected to have been started deliberately.

”Our advice to residents is to take care when out in grassed and wooded areas, be vigilant but also report any suspicious activity to ourselves and the Police immediately.”

More…

https://www.otsnews.co.uk/winter-hill-fire-seen-rufford/

https://www.otsnews.co.uk/firefighters-douse-blaze-caravan-club-birkdale/