Norfolk residents urged to avoid barbecues and bonfires amid dry conditions
Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service calls for caution to prevent wildfires
As the warm weather continues to dry out the ground across Norfolk, the fire risk in the region is escalating.
Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service is experiencing a busy time as small fires can rapidly evolve into significant wildfires, causing extensive damage.
To tackle this growing challenge, Simon Mason, Group Manager for Operational Response, is urging the public to exercise caution with barbecues and bonfires, which can easily spark fires threatening homes and natural areas.
Simon highlighted that even a small fire can quickly become challenging to control under current conditions.
The public is encouraged to dispose of garden waste at recycling centres or in garden bins rather than burning it, as this can prevent potential fires.
"it's straw like at the moment, a pale yellow, there's no moisture in that grass at all. So that fire can very, very quickly cause your garden fence to ignite or your trees to go up or your grass to catch," Simon said.
"Please work with us. Please, if you're thinking about having a bonfire just because you need to get rid of some garden waste, then we would really, really like you to, instead of burning it, take it down to your local recycling centre, who will take your garden waste."
For those using barbecues, it's advised to set up safety measures, such as having an extended hose or a bucket of water nearby, to manage any unexpected flare-ups:
"I know we're in a hose pipe band, but if that garden hose is there, should anything go wrong, you can very quickly manage that fire and put your BBQ out," Simon told us.
Extra caution is advised with disposable barbecues due to their unpredictable nature and higher risk of causing fires.