Safety advice issued after woodland destroyed by fire
Two acres of woodland have been damaged following a fire in Epping Forest this afternoon.
Crews were called to Warren Hill at just before 1.20pm to deal with a fire in the woods.
Working with the forest rangers, firefighters used beaters, backpack sprayers and hoses to extinguish the fire and stopped it from harming more of the woods.
Station manager Matt Bannon said: “Even though we managed to contain the spread of the fire, it’s such a shame to see the amount of damage that has been caused.
“We’d like to remind people in the last few days of summer holidays and hot weather to please take care when using our parks and open spaces.
“Please avoid bonfires, campfires, and disposable BBQs while the ground is so dry. Always stub out cigarettes fully and take your litter home, small actions can prevent big incidents and stop our lovely countryside being destroyed.”
Our firefighters believe this fire may have been started deliberately. If anyone has any information, please contact FireStoppers. It’s 100% anonymous and can help us protect our communities. Call 0800 169 5558 or give information online on the FireStoppers website https://forms.theiline.co.uk/firestoppers
Our crews have had a busy afternoon dealing with a number of small outdoor fires across Essex today.
Reducing the risk of wildfires
The sunny and dry weather we are enjoying increases the risk of wildfires, so please follow our safety advice.
- Make sure you stub out cigarettes properly and discard them responsibly
- Avoid lighting campfires or barbecues in the countryside. If you do, make sure they are fully extinguished before you dispose of them
- Never leave barbecues or bonfires unattended
- Discard your rubbish, especially glass bottles, responsibly
- Download the What3Words app and learn how to use it – so you can share your location instantly. Also encourage family and friends to use it too – especially children and teenagers who spend time outdoors
