Fire safety urged during warm, dry weather in Bedfordshire

As the Easter holidays begin, Bedfordshire is experiencing an unseasonably warm and sunny spell, leading to dry conditions across fields, grasslands, and undergrowth. With large areas of vegetation now dry and highly susceptible to ignition, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (BFRS) is urging residents to exercise extra caution when using fire pits and bonfires during this period.

Group Commander and Head of Prevention and Protection, Rob Hulatt, highlighted the increasing risk of fires during these dry conditions, and said: “Over the past two weeks we’ve seen a noticeable rise in outdoor fires. These are often as a result of bonfires and other outdoor fire use. This often leads to our crews spending significant time dealing with situations that could easily be prevented. With the warm weather, we know people will want to enjoy the outdoors, but it's vital that we do so safely to help prevent avoidable fires.”

The combination of higher-than-normal temperatures and dry ground creates the perfect conditions for fires to spread quickly. Even something as seemingly harmless as improperly discarded cigarette butts, a disposable barbecue on grass, or glass bottles left in the sun can trigger a fire that spreads rapidly.

BFRS is strongly advising residents to refrain from lighting bonfires and garden fires during this dry period. These fires can easily get out of control, spreading to nearby buildings, fences, and vegetation, causing significant damage and posing serious risks to public safety.

Simple steps to prevent outdoor fires:
•    Properly dispose of cigarettes: Ensure they are completely extinguished before disposing of them and never throw them on grass verges or vegetation.
•    Keep BBQs safe: Place disposable BBQs on bricks rather than directly on grass and keep them away from buildings and fences. Make sure BBQs are completely cool before disposing of the ash.
•    Avoid bonfires: During dry conditions, please consider using local recycling centres for unwanted rubbish and waste instead of lighting a bonfire.

For quicker emergency response, BFRS recommends downloading the free what3words app, which helps pinpoint your location in hard-to-find areas.

By taking these simple precautions, we can all enjoy the warm weather safely and help prevent unnecessary fires.