Appeal to prevent wildfires in country
WILDLIFE charities, emergency services and environmental groups have issued an urgent warning to prevent countryside wildfires.
As we head into the Spring, the warmer, dryer weather significantly increases the risk of fires starting and spreading quickly.
Organisations have issued pleas not to light campfires or disposable barbecues in the countryside and dispose responsibly cigarettes and litter such as glass bottles.
The chief executive of South Pennines Park, which covers 460 square miles of uplands, valleys and urban fringes, is calling on visitors to ‘think twice about whether they are putting our green spaces and natural habitats at risk’.
Residents in Whitworth,
Littleborough, Milnrow and Newhey fall within the new self-appointed National Park.
Helen Noble, chief executive of South Pennines Park, said: “Moorland fires devastate wildlife, endanger lives and wreak havoc on our beautiful landscape. If we have learnt anything over the past few years, it is how valuable our green spaces are, not only for health and wellbeing but in managing key environmental issues such as poor air quality, flood mitigation, biodiversity loss, livelihood crises and human environmental damage.
“It is heartbreaking to think that some of the devastation caused by wildfires could be easily prevented – as we head into spring and summer, we urge residents to take care and help protect our precious moorland and the abundance of wildlife that relies on it.”
In 2022 already there have been 70 significant wildfires across England and Wales including three potential devastating fires on Marsden Moor in one weekend.
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service station manager and wildfire lead, Ady Taylor, said: “Wildfires can have a hugely negative impact on the environment, and the release of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere is also a contributing factor to climate change.
“This is why we continue to urge people to take care when visiting the countryside and never be tempted to light barbecues or campfires on the moors, or flick cigarettes. The smallest action can have catastrophic consequences, putting people’s safety – and our natural environment – at risk.”