Is it really that difficult not to set our countryside ablaze?
Firefighters issue swathes of good advice during every heatwave but too many people ignore it
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“Some ignore the advice because they think they know best and that, for example, their little portable barbecue, consisting of a foil tray of red hot coals, couldn’t possibly cause any problems after they set it up amid a stand of parched grass in the shade of a parched tree.”
By Barrie Hudson
There are things in life on which we can all depend
One of them is increasingly erratic weather, including heatwaves such as the one which began some weeks ago and is set to continue for an indeterminate period.
Another is the clear advice issued by firefighters the length and breadth of the nation as to how the general public can enjoy the countryside without turning hundreds or thousands of acres of it into a raging inferno, and blanketing the landscape with choking, environmentally disastrous smoke.
Still another thing we can depend on, of course, is people ignoring that advice with disastrous yet predictable results.
Some ignore the advice because they think they know best and that, for example, their little portable barbecue, consisting of a foil tray of red hot coals, couldn’t possibly cause any problems after they set it up amid a stand of parched grass in the shade of a parched tree.
Others ignore the advice deliberately because they either actively want to cause destruction or else they want to do something ‘outrageous’ for the clicks of fellow slackwits on social media.
In recent days we have seen a major hay fire at Wiltshire beauty spot Hackpen Hill, which took some 28 hours to extinguish and which the police say was started deliberately.
At Dunwich in Suffolk, bulldozers raced to create firebreaks as a blaze turned an area of countryside said by firefighters to equal more than 200 football pitches to ash.
And of course, anybody who has watched an international news digest lately will be familiar with the horrors wrought by wildfires in France, Spain and Greece.
The advice issued by Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS), whose area of operations includes Swindon and the landscape surrounding it, is not by any measure complex.
This makes it all the more galling that in the period since the current hot spell began in earnest a month or so ago, its courageous and dedicated personnel have found themselves dealing with all manner of fires involving large areas of land, fields and heath.
As Group Manager Matthew Skyme said: “With the third heatwave this year currently being experienced, I’m urging the public to take extra care to help avoid and prevent fires, especially during these challenging conditions.
“We appreciate that many people will want to enjoy the nice weather with friends and family, but it’s vital they consider the potential impacts that this hot weather can bring to everyday activities.”
The service advises
Avoid having barbecues or campfires (especially on heathland or in open spaces). If you do, douse any coals/fire pits with water and don’t dispose of remnants until you’re sure they’re cold.
Extinguish smoking materials properly, and don’t throw cigarette ends on the ground or out of car windows – take your litter home.
If you see a fire in the countryside, get to a safe place and call 999 to report it immediately to the Fire & Rescue Service. If possible use What3Words to provide an accurate location and give as much detail as possible.
Do not have a bonfire at home during these high-risk conditions.
- If you’re at the beach, don’t set off flares, have campfires, or light barbecues as these can easily lead to gorse and foliage on the cliffs catching fire.
Matthew Skyme said: “I’d also like to remind farmers and agricultural workers of the steps they can take to prevent a fire occurring while they work.
“At this time of year, farmers are working long, hard hours and farm and field fires are also a big risk. It’s easy to let chaff and dust build up in the machines, which can then catch fire if any parts then overheat.”
The problem can be compounded when machinery is worked extra hard during hot weather, or when crops are harvested and stored in less-than-ideal conditions. There’s also the risk of field fires, often caused when flint is caught and sparked.”
The fire service safety checklist for farmers is:
Regularly clean out dust and chaff from hot spots in combines and balers.
Switch off engines and ensure moving parts have stopped before clearing blockages or carrying out maintenance.
Always stop to investigate hot-running engines or bearings.
Put in place a system for keeping in contact with lone workers.
Keep mobile phones on your person – not left in a tractor or pick-up cab.
Know where you are (What3Words is great for this) and the best access points for your location.
Make sure that drivers are aware of the locations and heights of power lines and check that machines will safely pass under wires.
Make sure there are fire extinguishers on all vehicles, so they are readily accessible – and keep them regularly maintained.
Clean dust regularly from grain dryers and ensure that all staff running the drier are fully trained and know what to do if fire breaks out.
Make sure ladders and platforms used for maintenance are in good condition and a safe system of work is in operation.
Anybody seeing suspicious fire-setting behaviour in progress should call 999 and ask for the police. They can also report anything anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Further information relating to outdoor safety can be found at www.dwfire.org.uk/safety/safety-outdoors.
Police Unity Tour in memory of fallen officers
Officers and staff from Wiltshire Police have set off on a 185-mile cycle ride in memory of police officers who have died in the line of duty.
The six riders, including Assistant Chief Constable Deb Smith, are taking part in this year’s Police Unity Tour, which set off from Devizes Police Headquarters this morning - 7 August.
Over the course of three days, the riders will make their way to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, and are due to arrive on Sunday. There, a special commemoration ceremony will be held attended by officers and staff from police forces across the UK.
The ride sees participants raising money for charity Care of Police Survivors (COPS) which provides support to injured officers as well as to the families of loved ones who are left behind following the death of an on-duty serving police family member.
ACC Smith said: “It is always an absolute privilege to take part in this event to honour those officers who have sadly lost their lives whilst on duty.
“In Wiltshire, 30 Wiltshire officers have lost their lives since 1839 and we will be thinking of them all during the ride.
“I hope this event also serves as an opportunity for the public to acknowledge the dangers that officers face when policing our county day in, day out, and pay their own tributes to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.”
The Police Unity Tour (PUT) is a national event, with police forces from all over the country taking part every year.
The Wiltshire Chapter was this year made up of six riders and two support staff.
The Unity Tour has raised over £1 million for COPS, which has allowed the charity to buy the first respite house named Unity House.
The Ink News Briefing
Beer & Country Festival to kick off August events in Old Town - Final preparations are under way for the first of this year’s August events organised by Old Town Business Association. The Beer & Country Festival will be held this weekend - Sunday 9 August - from noon until 5pm. Organised in partnership with South Swindon Parish Council and sponsors Deacons Jewellers, the events build on the huge success of last year's Summer Socials, when the closure of Devizes Road for gas pipe repairs became a springboard for a range of events. Full Story here
Sports clubs could receive funding from supermarket giant - Grassroots sports clubs across Swindon and Wiltshire are being urged to apply for funding from Aldi. The supermarket giant is bringing its support for local sport together under one Aldi Sports Fund programme. Eligible clubs could receive funding to help cover essential costs such as equipment, kits, coaching, training programmes and facility hire. This comes as part of Aldi’s drive to support sport at every level, from local clubs through to Britain's Olympic and Paralympic athletes. As the Official Supermarket Partner of Team GB and ParalympicsGB, Aldi also supports Team GB and ParalympicsGB athletes with monthly vouchers for their all-important food shop. Full Story here
Glitz and Glamour Ball in aid of dementia charities - Supportive online community Forget Me Not - For Dementia Loss is to host a fundraising Glitz and Glamour Black Tie Ball. The event on Saturday 26 September at The Village Hotel in Shaw Ridge Leisure Park will raise money for Dementia UK and Alzheimer's Society.
A Forget Me not spokesperson said: "Tickets are £55 per person, or £50 per person when purchased as a table of 10 people including a two-course meal and live entertainment, with a raffle and auction during the evening.” Full Story here
Swindon Salvation Army eco church’s charity fashion show - Swindon Gorse Hill Salvation Army raised £900 when it hosted a fashion show. As an 'Eco Church', the organisation is is committed to promoting sustainability, and showcasws the beauty and value of pre-loved clothing. Captain Theresa Torr, who leads The Salvation Army at Swindon Gorse Hill, said: “We are absolutely thrilled with the turnout - we could not have fit one more person in the building! What has truly warmed our hearts is seeing so many people come together to show their love for the environment and embrace sustainable fashion. While buying second-hand might seem like a small individual effort, events like this prove that when a community comes together with a shared purpose, those little efforts add up to something much bigger. We hope this fashion show has inspired people to think about the choices they make and the difference we can all make, one outfit at a time.” Full story here
The Swindon Link Magazine Archive
Over on The Ink’s sister publication Swindon Link’s website you will find an impressive archive of the past 47 years of Swindon Link magazines, giving you a huge glimpse into the town’s recent past from the beginnings of West Swindon to now. You can find the archive here.
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