Fire service warns of increased wildfire risk across East Midlands during summer holidays
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue says it sees a spike in incidents during the six-week break
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service is warning about an increased wildfire risk across the East Midlands during the summer holidays.
They are urging people not to bring barbecues to the countryside.
Temperatures rise again in the East Midlands...
It comes as the East Midlands enters its fourth heatwave of the summer period with the region placed in a heat health alert until Thursday.
The warning was upgraded from yellow to amber as temperatures are set to reach almost 30 degrees in parts.
The UK Health Security Agency warns rising temperatures could pose a risk, especially to vulnerable groups.
Natasha Neale, Community Engagement and Partnerships Manager at Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "We are not trying to attribute that increase to young people necessarily.
"However, we are asking parents and guardians to have conversations with their children around safety. When we have incidents in term time, we are able to get into schools and speak directly with young people.
"We cannot do that over the summer break," she said.
'Be cautious around any naked flame'
She said the service is warning we should be cautious around any naked flame when the ground is this dry: "If you are a smoker, make sure you are disposing of cigarettes safely and not just throwing them out the car window, for example.
"Take any rubbish with you when out on trips. There have been a few incidents where wildfires have been started accidentally because a glass bottle has been left.
"Our main advice is not to take a barbecue out into the countryside at this time of year when it is so dry. There are locations up and down the country where you can take fixed barbecues," she said.