Public urged to help prevent wildfires over bank holiday weekend

As the August bank holiday approaches, Dorset Council, Dorset Heaths Partnership, and Litter Free Dorset are reminding residents and visitors to take extra care in the countryside and avoid lighting barbecues, campfires, or any fire-starting items on open land.

With dry conditions continuing and wildfire risk at a seasonal high, the public is urged to act responsibly to protect Dorset’s people, property, and natural habitats.

So far this year 160 hectares of heath have burned, equivalent to 225 football pitches, across 37 heaths. This is 15 times more than all of the heath burned last year, and over twice as many heaths have been affected. In total in 2024 10.5 hectares of heath burned, equivalent to 15 football pitches, over 18 heaths.

Cllr Gill Taylor, Dorset Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Housing (including Community Safety) said: “We’re asking everyone to enjoy Dorset’s beautiful open spaces safely and responsibly. Wildfires are a growing threat, and we all have a role to play in preventing them.

“I’d like to thank Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service and Dorset Heaths Partnership for their incredible work responding to recent incidents. Please help them - and help us - by not lighting fires or barbecues on open land.”

Paul Attwell, Team Manager at the Dorset Heaths Partnership, added: “Wildfires have a huge impact on the local community - they put the safety of the public, wildlife and property at risk and can destroy large areas of heathland and forest.

“Heathland is rarer than rainforest, and we work hard to protect what remains. We urge everyone to help prevent fires by avoiding the use of barbecues and reporting any fire activity immediately.”

Recent fires, including a major incident at Holt Heath, have highlighted the urgent need for public vigilance. Dorset Council is asking everyone to take simple steps to reduce risk and keep Dorset safe.

What you should do this weekend:

• Do not use barbecues or light fires on any open land, regardless of Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) coverage
• Choose a picnic or reusable alternatives when enjoying the outdoors
• Dispose of litter responsibly and avoid leaving glass or metal that could spark fires
• Report any fire or suspicious activity to emergency services immediately.

While PSPOs remain in place across many areas of Dorset, the exceptionally dry conditions mean that fire safety must be observed everywhere. One of the most common causes of wildfires remains the careless use and disposal of barbecues - especially single-use types.

Emma Teasdale, Litter Free Dorset Coordinator, said:

“Single-use barbecues pose a grave danger to Dorset’s natural environment and wildlife. They are impossible to recycle, incredibly wasteful, and often abandoned while still hot, leading to fires and injuries. We’re asking retailers to remove them from sale, and customers to choose a picnic instead - it’s safer, cleaner, and better for the planet.”