Drone footage has revealed the scale of damage caused by a wildfire that tore through Formby dunes last week. The blaze, which broke out near Albert Road on Wednesday evening (August 12), burned more than three hectares of rare dune habitat, an area roughly the size of four football pitches.
Fire crews battle significant blaze
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) sent six fire engines to tackle what it described as a "significant" fire. Firefighters arrived to find an area of around 300 metres by 300 metres alight. The fire later spread across an area approximately 500 metres by 200 metres, with multiple pockets of flames breaking out across the dunes.
Crews used beaters and hoses to fight the flames, with extended hose lines laid across a considerable distance to establish water supplies. Strong winds made conditions difficult as the fire spread through thick gorse. An MFRS drone was also requested to provide crews with a better view of the fire from above. A fire engine from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and an MFRS off-road vehicle also attended.
Impact on rare dune wildlife
One witness who saw the fire during its early stages said it appeared to be burning in "three or four separate areas". Formby is part of the Sefton Coast, one of the biggest sand dune systems in England. It is a haven for rare dune wildlife, including natterjack toads, sand lizards and northern dune tiger beetles. The sand dune system can also act as a natural sea defence by moving and shifting to form protection against the tide and sea as it comes in.
Now the National Trust Formby, whose rangers manage the dunes, has shared a drone image from Seagull Aerial Photography to showcase the scale of the damage caused by the wildfire. A post on its Facebook page said: "The fire burned more than three hectares of rare dune habitat, an area roughly the size of four football pitches. This drone shot shows just how much of this special landscape has been affected."
Monitoring nature's recovery
On the work the charity is doing now in the aftermath of the blaze, it said: "Thanks to survey drone footage captured by Seagull Aerial Photography with the necessary permissions, our ranger team has been able to map the affected area. This will help us monitor nature's recovery in the months and years ahead. While the impact on wildlife and habitats is significant, there is hope. Many dune plants are naturally adapted to disturbance.
"Surviving root systems, buried seeds and seeds carried by the wind will all help vegetation, including marram grass, begin to return over time. Our ongoing conservation work will also continue to support nature. By creating areas of bare sand through removing dense areas of invasive scrub and winter cattle grazing, we're helping to maintain the dynamic dune habitat that many specialist plants and animals depend on.
"The annual surveys we do of nearby natterjack toad breeding slacks will also help us understand the longer-term effects of the fire on this rare species and monitor how populations recover."
Public urged to prevent future fires
The National Trust has also urged the public to help ensure such an incident never happens again. It said: "Most fires like this are preventable. Even though there has been some rain this week the area is still very dry and it only takes one small spark to start a fire. You can help protect the wildlife and landscapes of the #SeftonCoast by ensuring cigarettes are fully extinguished and by never lighting BBQs, fires, fireworks or lanterns on the beach, in the dunes, grasslands or woodlands.
"If you see a fire, please call 999. Find your location by using the What3Words app or note down landmarks to help describe the fire location. Thanks for your support. Together, we can keep Formby special for wildlife and people."
