Firefighters’ plea as woods hit in spate of blazes
THE fire service is pleading with visitors to the seaside to take more care after a spate of grass fires in recent weeks.
Dry, hot weather has created dangerous conditions for such fires and crews have repeatedly been despatched to tackle blazes near the beaches and sand dunes between Southport and Formby.
Many of these are being started carelessly as a result of campfires and barbecues, which are banned along Sefton’s coast, being left unattended.
On Wednesday, May 27, a large fire in Formby Pinewoods caused extensive damage to an area approximately 150m x 150m.
It happened just days after a similar fire in Ainsdale Pinewoods, which was caused by an unattended campfire, and weeks after a large fire on Ainsdale Beach’s sand dunes.
Similar damage can be seen near Birkdale and Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service has warned that the smaller fires had the potential to spread quickly if they had not been spotted by passers-by.
The service also believes that a number of the fires have been started deliberately and has urged parents to “discuss the very serious consequences of arson with their children”.
It has also issued advice on how to reduce the risk of grassland and woodland fires:
Ensure cigarettes are extinguished correctly and cannot reignite.
Do not throw cigarette ends on the ground or out of car windows. Take litter home with you.
Don’t leave bottles or glass in woodland – sunlight shining through glass can start fires.
Do not light fires or barbecues in open countryside or woodland – only use barbecues in a suitable and safe area and never leave them unattended.