Western Morning News (Saturday)
‘Tinder dry’ West on high fire alert
Public will be barred from moors and open access areas if risk level rises
THE Met Office has raised the Fire Severity Index for all of Devon and Cornwall to ‘Very High’ – one step off the level where the right to roam on moors, heaths and downs is automatically suspended.
It comes after the police have warned that there is a very high risk of wildfires this weekend due to the weather conditions, and described Dartmoor as being ‘tinder dry’.
The Exeter-based Met Office’s Fire Severity Index (FSI) is an assessment of how severe a fire could become if one were to start.
The FSI for Devon and Cornwall has now been raised to FSI Level 4 ‘Very High’, one step below the highest severity, Level 5 ‘Exceptional’.
The Met Office says: “The FSI provides a trigger for fire prevention restrictions on access land mapped under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act (2000). Fire prevention restrictions aim to minimise accidental fires on access land vulnerable to wildfires by suspending open access rights when conditions become Exceptional (FSI level 5).”
Dartmoor National Park authority, Devon and Cornwall Police and the fire service have all issued pleas to the public to take care and not light barbecues or discard burning cigarettes, after weeks of dry weather and sunshine have left grassland and moorland vulnerable to blazes.
THE Met Office has raised the Fire Severity Index (FSI) for all of Devon and Cornwall to ‘Very High’ – one step off the level where the right to roam on moors, heaths and downs is automatically suspended.
It comes after the police have warned that there is a very high risk of wildfires this weekend due to the weather conditions, and described Dartmoor as being ‘tinder dry’.
Superintendent Adrian Leisk, Policing Area Commander for West Cornwall, said: “This weekend, peaking on Monday, there is a very high risk of wildfire due to the weather conditions. Please avoid burning garden waste or using disposable BBQs – these could get quickly out of control.”
The Exeter-based Met Office’s FSI is an assessment of how severe a fire could become if one were to start.
The FSI for Devon and Cornwall has now been raised to FSI Level 4 ‘Very High’, one step below the highest severity, Level 5 ‘Exceptional’.
The Met Office says: “The FSI provides a trigger for fire prevention restrictions on access land mapped under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act (2000). Fire prevention restrictions aim to minimise accidental fires on access land vulnerable to wildfires by suspending open access rights when conditions become Exceptional (FSI level 5). “
The Government’s website says that access land “includes mountains, moors, heaths and downs that are privately owned”. “It also includes common land registered with the local council and some land around the England Coast Path,” says the website.
Dartmoor National Park authority, Devon and Cornwall Police and the fire service have all issued pleas to the public, after weeks of dry weather and sunshine have left the moors just a spark away from bursting into flames.
Anyone planning a trip to Dartmoor for some fresh air, a picnic or a family day out is asked to be vigilant against wildfire by not lighting a barbecue or campfire, or discarding cigarettes.
Andrew Watson, head of recreation, access and estates said: “We want people to come and enjoy Dartmoor, but we would strongly urge them to do what they can to prevent a fire from breaking out.”
“There are particular concerns at the moment with the exceptionally dry weather which has made moorland habitats extremely vulnerable to fire risk. These fires spread very quickly and are absolutely devastating to Dartmoor communities and wildlife.”
On Twitter, police said: “Please heed this advice Dartmoor is tinder dry at present. Having dealt with several people last weekend for having fires, it only takes a stray ember or spark to ignite a fire. “
Darren Peters, area manager for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We’ve seen an increase in wildfires caused by barbecues and campfires over the past few weeks. Whilst we want everyone to enjoy exercising outdoors, please ‘think twice’ before engaging in behaviour that could lead to a blaze.”