Fire risk risesin countryside

The hot, dry conditions and swell of visitors keen to enjoy the great outdoors increases the risk of countryside fires, particularly on heathland such as those at Brede High Woods and Fairlight.

Although the cause of individual fires is not always clear, they pose a serious threat to specialist heathland wildlife including smooth snakes, sand lizards and many butterflies and dragonflies.

Mike Coates, Heathland Project Manager for RSPB South East, said: “An uncontrolled fire can have a devastating impact on heathland wildlife, particularly at this time of year when many specialist heathland species are still breeding and raising young.

“Most countryside fires are caused by carelessness so should be avoidable; ten seconds of carelessness can cause fires that take hours to put out and years for the habitat and wildlife to recover.

“Heaths are wonderful places to visit – but until we’ve had some rain they are incredibly fragile and susceptible to fires. Please be careful with cigarettes and matches, report anything suspicious and don’t use disposable barbecues or Chinese lanterns.”

The RSPB issued the following advice to help reduce the risk of fires starting.

· Always extinguish cigarettes and other smoking materials properly

· Never throw lit cigarette ends out of car windows – they can destroy whole fields of crops.

· Avoid open fires in the countryside. Only use barbecues in safe, designated areas and never leave them unattended.

· Don’t leave bottles or glass lying around - sunlight shining through glass can start a fire.