Call-outs to garden fires on the rise as people burn their rubbish

BONFIRE call-outs are increasing due to the closure of rubbish dumps, firefighters have said.

As rubbish tips across the UK have closed in line with Government orders, householders have turned to bonfires to dispose of waste. But firefighters have warned that their resources are being pulled away from helping the front-line effort against Covid-19 as they are instead having to respond to the domestic burning of rubbish.

Last Friday, it was announced that in order to tackle the pandemic, firefighters will deliver food and medicines, drive ambulances, and retrieve bodies as part of an agreement between the Fire Brigades Union, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) and Fire and Rescue Service National Employers.

But the additional measures do not stop the service from needing to tackle fires, including those from bonfires.

In response to the new orders, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service urged residents to reconsider having a bonfire.

Ian Jeary, the service’s area manager, said: “We are asking the public to seriously consider if they need to have a bonfire or barbecue. These can get out of control very easily.

“This does pull us away from other vital work to support our communities and means our firefighters are potentially exposing themselves to coronavirus.”

He added: “With garden waste collections suspended and local household recycling centres closed, we are starting to see an increase in bonfires getting out of control. Please consider if you must burn garden waste.”

Mersey Fire & Rescue pleaded with citizens on social media. It tweeted:

“We know it’s hard with tips closed, but we are requesting that Merseyside residents don’t dispose of waste (garden or other) by burning.”

The NFCC said it was important for everyone to take “responsible steps to reduce the likelihood of wildfires starting and to support fire and rescue” during these “challenging and unprecedented times”.