With this summer’s scorching weather set to continue, islanders are being asked to “stop the spark”, in the wake of Friday’s wildfire on Sark.
In periods of extended hot weather, vegetation dries and can become tinder to the smallest of sparks, people in the Bailiwick are being warned.
That’s why Guernsey Fire Service, together with Agriculture, Countryside & Land Management Services (ACLMS), are urging islanders to take small steps that could have a huge impact.
Les Britzman, Chief Fire Officer, said: “Many outdoor fires are preventable.
“We are asking islanders to think carefully about how their actions could impact the countryside and surrounding communities, particularly during periods of prolonged dry weather.”
How to ‘Stop the spark’
The organisations are advising people to:
- Fully extinguish and safely dispose of beach barbecues and embers
- Avoid burning garden waste in hot and dry weather
- Dispose cigarette butts and glass bottles responsibly
- Store and manage dry garden waste and hay carefully
As Friday’s wildfire on Sark demonstrated, fires can start a lot easier than people think during prolonged heatwaves can be easier than people think.
David Hubert, from ACLMS, said Guernsey’s countryside was “one of the Bailiwick’s greatest assets”.
Mr Hubert added: “Fires can cause lasting damage to habitats, wildlife and landscapes which may take years to recover.
“By working together and taking simple preventative measures, we can all help protect these important spaces.”
