Wildlife Wise, a partnership project dedicated to protecting the Suffolk coast's wildlife and habitats, is urging the public to act responsibly to help prevent further wildfires, as Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) continues to respond to the major incident at Dunwich Heath.
The Wildfire Free Suffolk campaign was launched with the fire service earlier this summer to raise awareness of how fires start in the open and how they can be prevented.
The public is urged to:
- Avoid lighting barbecues and campfires near vegetation such as grass, heathland or woodland - only use them in designated safe areas
- Douse disposable barbecues with water, allow them to cool completely, then dispose of them in household (black) bins - never in public bins
- Leave no trace - take all litter home or dispose of it in bins provided
- Ensure cigarettes and smoking materials are fully extinguished and disposed of responsibly - vapes should be taken to dedicated recycling points
If you see a fire outdoors:
- Get to a safe place
- Note the exact location - use what3words if possible (https://what3words.com)
- Call 999 and ask for the Fire and Rescue Service
- Provide as much information as possible
- If requested, meet crews at the nearest access point
Sam Kench, Wildlife Wise Delivery Manager, said: “It’s devastating to see the impact this fire is having at Dunwich Heath which has been declared a major incident by the fire service. As a significant number of firefighters continue to respond, we are urging the public to do everything they can to reduce the risk of further fires. Dry grass and vegetation can ignite extremely quickly in the current conditions, and fires can spread rapidly, posing significant risk to people, killing wildlife and destroying valuable habitats.
He added: “While the cause of the Dunwich Heath fire has not yet been confirmed, we are asking everyone to act responsibly by disposing of cigarettes and vapes safely, avoiding the use of disposable barbecues, and disposing of litter. By taking simple precautions, we can help protect Suffolk’s wildlife and the habitats they depend on.”
For more information about the Wildfire Free Suffolk campaign, visit https://wildlifewise.co.uk/wildfire-free-suffolk