Shaun Milton, group manager of Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, has urged Brits to go to the pub instead of using disposable barbecues, fearing they could ignite more wildfires on drought-stricken ground. He anticipates his crews will have dealt with up to 1,000 fires by the end of the summer, as temperatures are again expected to threaten 40C.
With little or no significant rain for several days, more than half of the country is on official drought, and a wildfire raging in Suffolk has grown to the equivalent of 140 football pitches.
Fire chief's plea
Speaking to the BBC, Mr Milton said he has seen the number of wildfire incidents increase in Wiltshire during his 20 years on the job. He added that most of the fires he's seen have been produced by some level of human intervention, intentionally or not.
Among key causes are people lighting bonfires to dispose of waste. He said: "We're seeing it with bonfires where, rather than taking their waste to a recycling centre, [people are] maybe having a bonfire, which obviously is far from ideal at this time of year. People going out to enjoy the beautiful countryside we have here [are] taking disposable barbecues; I'd certainly challenge anybody to say whether they've ever had a good meal from a disposable barbecue. I'd certainly suggest, rather than doing that, go to some of the local pubs or restaurants, or bring a picnic instead."
The fire boss advised anyone desperate to have a barbecue should have one at home, and with precautions.
Drought and heatwave deaths
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service has released general advice, telling people that any at-home outside cooking should be done well clear of fences, sheds, trees and dried vegetation. Much of the country is currently dried vegetation, with the Environment Agency announcing on Wednesday that half of England is in official drought.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) announced that it was likely the country would see the highest number of heat-related deaths on record. A new report estimates up to 2,877 people died during the heatwaves of May and June from heat-related causes, split between an estimated 753 deaths in May and 2,124 in June.
An earlier analysis by Imperial College London, the Met Office, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine projected 2,700 excess deaths for the two periods – and warned that two fifths of those deaths were due to the extra heat caused by climate change.
Suffolk wildfire and evacuations
The Suffolk wildfire, which ignited on Dunwich Heath, has forced hundreds of people to evacuate their homes, accommodation and businesses. One couple, on holiday from Southampton, told how they had to quickly evacuate their family-owned static caravan with their two young sons in their pyjamas, forgetting to bring the children’s shoes.
The boys' mother, who did not want to be named, said: “It was scary. We just kind of grabbed them and left. They’re still in their pyjamas - no shoes. We first saw the smoke at around 7pm while eating our dinner. It very quickly with the change of wind took a very different direction. I’d say we were quite lucky because we were actually at one of the furthest points, but we could definitely smell it. As soon as we left the caravan we were straight out into the smoke.”
Around 18 fire engines are understood to have been deployed to tackle the blaze, which emergency responders could continue to burn for another 48 hours despite their efforts.
