Suffolk campaign launched to prevent wildfires this summer
It's following a rise in incidents from last year to the previous
A new campaign designed to prevent wildfires and protect wildlife habitats on the Suffolk Coast has been launched.
Spearheaded by Wildlife Wise and supported by Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), the Wildfire Free Suffolk campaign aims to bolster fire safety awareness and mitigate risks across coastal, heathland, and woodland areas.
Recent data from SFRS indicates a significant rise in fires outdoors, with 310 incidents reported across Suffolk from January to mid-November last year, marking an increase of 105 cases from the previous year.
To combat this trend, the campaign employs eye-catching signage along key tourist routes in high-risk areas, including roads, car parks, and footpaths near wildlife sites. These signs, prominently displaying the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service crest, warn against lighting disposable barbecues or campfires outside designated zones, and emphasise taking litter home, including cigarettes and e-cigarettes.
During warmer months, the public is encouraged to follow these precautionary steps:
Use barbecues and campfires only in designated safe areas, away from vegetation like grass, heathland, or woodland
Take home all litter or dispose of it in provided bins
Ensure cigarettes and smoking materials are fully extinguished and disposed of carefully; vapes should be taken to recycling points
Douse disposable barbecues with water, allow cooling, and dispose of them in household bins, avoiding public bins
Sam Kench, Wildlife Wise Delivery Manager, stressed the potential risks:
"As the weather gets warmer – with a heatwave on the way, we want people to enjoy spending time outdoors, but we are asking visitors not to bring sources of fire to our wildlife sites. Dry grass and vegetation can ignite very quickly, and fires in the open can spread rapid, killing wildlife and destroying important habitats."
He further highlighted the dual risks posed by smoking materials and vapes:
"While many people are aware that cigarettes are a common cause of outdoor fires, fewer realise they also contribute to plastic pollution, posing a dual risk to wildlife. Similarly, disposable vapes - which are becoming increasingly common - can ignite if exposed to extreme temperatures. That’s why they should only ever be disposed of at dedicated recycling points."
Alex Smith, Tactical Wildfire Advisor at SFRS, emphasised designated usage for fires:
"Campfires and disposable barbecues should only be used in designated areas, which are carefully selected to be well away from anything that could catch fire, such as dry grass, shrubs, trees or wooden structures. It only takes a small spark to start an outdoor fire, which can spread rapidly - especially during prolonged dry conditions. By preventing fires before they start, we can protect our communities, preserve natural habitats and wildlife, and reduce pressure on the Service, supporting our wider prevention work across the county."