Firefighters will be out across West Yorkshire today (June 14th) as part of a day of action aiming to prevent moorland fires.
Fire service crews, along with members of Calderdale’s Community Safety Partnership, will be in Calderdale spreading the #BeMoorAware message, briefing key landowners on prohibitions and reporting of concerns, updating current signage and speaking with members of the community to address any concerns they have around wildfires.
Crews will be in various locations in Todmorden and Hebden Bridge across the day.
Wildfires have been a significant issue across Calderdale in recent years with thousands of hectares of countryside destroyed – something that affects animals, the local economy, and the wider environmental and social fabric of the area.
Assistant District Commander for Calderdale, Dan Butterfield said:
“We’re looking forward to engaging with and building relationships with both landowners and the local community in regard to moorland fires. Everyone has a part to play, actions and vigilance can make a significant difference in preventing fires and protecting our valuable moorlands.
“We’d ask people, especially with summer upon us to become aware of our key safety tips, such as avoiding the use of any type of naked flames in moorland areas, choosing picnics over barbeques and reporting any sightings of fire by calling 999 and asking for the fire service.”
Calderdale Council’s Assistant Director of Customer Services, Sarah Richardson said:
“It’s so important that we do all we can to protect our local moorlands by raising awareness of the harm caused by wildfires. These preventable fires can have a devastating effect on wildlife, as well as destroying their precious habitats. They also create additional and significant demand on emergency services.
“As part of the Calderdale Community Safety Partnership, we’re joining our fire service partners and visiting the borough’s upland areas this Wildfire Prevention Day. We’ll be reminding people to follow the Countryside Code, pay attention to signage and be aware of our PSPOs prohibiting the lighting of fires, barbecues, sky lanterns or other items that could cause a fire risk.
“We’re also raising awareness of what people should do if they see a fire and the importance of contacting the emergency services as soon as possible.”