Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service is urging us all to continue to be extra vigilant in this dry, hot weather
Yesterday alone Norfolk firefighters dealt with 14 fires in the open, 5 of which were wildfires - due to their size and the number of appliances needed.
Out of control bonfires, a discarded cigarette and bin fires among the causes.
A spokesperson says, "Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service has no legal powers to ban bonfires, or stop use of sky lanterns or disposable barbecues.
"However, we are encouraging people not to use them during these prolonged hot and dry conditions as they can easily cause fires that can spread and present a threat to life and property."
Incident earlier in July, credit: Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service
One of the wildfires was at Blackborough End near King's Lynn late afternoon, where a large field fire spread to an outbuilding, causing a mile of damage to farmland (cause being investigated).
A lane of the A47 had to be closed due to smoke, with crews from King’s Lynn, Wells, Downham Market, West Walton, Swaffham, Watton, Thetford, Terrington, and Massingham attending.
The fire was put out by the evening, but crews are still there today (Thursday) damping down and monitoring. This is classed as a wildfire due to the area of land affected.
Local crews also attended wildfires in Aylsham, Buxton, Gunton and Knapton. There was a field fire in Banham, bin fires in North Walsham and Dereham, a farm fire in New Buckenham, bush fire in Shernborne and a woodland fire in King’s Lynn.
Chief Fire Officer Ceri Sumner adds, “Thanks to the public for their ongoing diligence in reporting fires to us early and helping us to pinpoint location.
"Our teams are working around the clock to ensure the safety of our county and we remain available 24/7 for Norfolk this summer.”
Steps the public can take to reduce fire risk in Norfolk this summer are:
- Fully discard cigarettes and other smoking materials.
- Take litter home or put it safely in a bin.
- Don’t use disposable barbecues, light campfires or bonfires in hot and dry weather.
- Download the What3Words app to ensure that you can pinpoint a rural location quickly in the event of a fire.