Stay away from moors
Gamekeepers and moorland managers have urged members of the public to stay away from the moors during the coming Spring Bank Holiday, warning our uplands are currently a powder-keg.
2020 has already seen a spate of wildfires across England diverting the attention and resources of the emergency services away from battling COVID-19.
Global warming is resulting in milder and wetter winters – increasing plant growth coupled with policies to “rewild” landscapes.
Summer heatwaves then dry out this excess vegetation – resulting in a large, highly flammable fuel load on our precious uplands waiting for the smallest spark to set the whole place ablaze.
Not only do wildfires present obvious risks to the unique and special wildlife and habitats of our uplands, and the people who live in and around them, but are also a major source of CO2 emissions.
Coronavirus restrictions have forced National Park authorities and organisations to scale back their workforce, with gamekeepers being asked to act as the eyes and ears when it comes to watching over our uplands.
We are all becoming restless under COVID-19 restrictions, but it is essential we continue to follow official guidance and stay away from the moors.
It only takes one splitsecond decision to discard a cigarette butt or light a BBQ or dump some rubbish, but it has the potential to cause huge damage.
There is no point in making significant gains in carbon emissions if we then allow our uplands to regularly catch ablaze, belching vast amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.