Did you know how easy it could be to start an accidental wildfire in this hot, dry weather?
Our parks have been scorched by the sun. As have local allotments.
Barbecues, cigarette butts – and even rubbish – can start a wildfire.
Fires are more likely to start and spread quickly when the grass, trees and plants are so dry, making the borough’s parched parks especially vulnerable. Recently, fires had to be put out at Perivale Park and Horsenden Hill in Perivale and at Gunnersbury Park.
So, Ealing Council and London Fire Brigade are asking all visitors to parks, allotments and open spaces to help prevent a wildfire by following 4 simple safety rules:
- barbecues are banned in our parks
- do not leave glass bottles behind as they can magnify the sun and start fires
- please take your rubbish home if bins are full
- throw cigarettes away responsibly or take a portable ashtray with you.
‘It only takes a spark’
Patrick Goulbourne, assistant commissioner for operational resilience and control at London Fire Brigade, said: “In these dry conditions, it only takes a spark to start a grass fire and they can spread rapidly, quickly threatening homes, workplaces, infrastructure and the environment. That’s why we’re asking Londoners to play their part in protecting London, and our emergency resources, by taking extra care around green spaces.
“If you’re heading to a park or open space to enjoy the sunshine, please don’t take a disposable barbecue with you. Even after they have been extinguished, they can retain heat for many hours and pose a serious fire risk.”
London Fire Brigade is also advising anyone having a barbecue at home to keep it well away from fences, sheds, trees and anything else that could catch fire.
Allotments: ban in place
A temporary ban on barbecues and bonfires has been put in place in all of the council’s allotments to reduce the risk of fire.
Councillor Lauren Wall, the council’s cabinet member for thriving communities, said: “We’ve all seen on the news how devastating a wildfire can be and we are fortunate that the recent fires in our parks were not worse. Our park rangers and volunteers from the community have been working hard to reduce the risk. We’re also asking the public to play its part in keeping everyone who uses our parks and open spaces safe.”
More information
For London Fire Brigade information on preventing wildfires visit its website.
Anyone who sees a fire should make sure they are in a safe place away from the fire and vegetation and call 999 immediately.
