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Fire safety warning for the Flintshire countryside

Published: 04/07/2018

Flintshire Countryside Service is urging people to take extreme care in the countryside during the current hot weather and take all possible steps to prevent fires. The warning comes as fires affected land in parts of Gwynedd and Anglesey, as well as the devastating fires in the North West of England. Councillor Carolyn Thomas, Cabinet Member for Streetscene and Countryside, said: “Whilst many of us will be enjoying this unusually prolonged spell of extremely hot weather, it does not come without risk. The ground is now tinder dry and the risk of fire is increasing by the day. A fire out of doors, whether started deliberately or accidently, can spread and cover large areas very quickly. Simple precautions such as avoiding barbeques in the open countryside and making sure that lit cigarettes are discarded properly and safely can significantly reduce the risk of fire. We would ask people to please take the utmost care when in the countryside and take all necessary steps to protect against fire.” Kevin Roberts, Senior Fire Safety Manager, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: “In these dry conditions, fires involving grass, bracken and heather can develop extremely quickly, especially in raised winds, and fires can soon get out of control and spread to neighbouring properties or forestry, with the need for us then to attend to extinguish them. “So if you are out, it is more important than ever in these conditions to make sure that any smoking materials are discarded and extinguished properly. If you are out camping, again make sure that campfires or barbeques are fully extinguished. Better still, avoid open fires altogether in this dry period. “These fires place tremendous pressure on our resources, with firefighters tied up for a considerable length of time working to bring them under control. Quite often they also happen in areas where access is extremely difficult and water supply is limited. “Remember - setting fires is a criminal offence and we are actively working alongside North Wales Police to combat deliberate incidents – those found to be responsible will be prosecuted.”