Firefighters' plea as bonfires, BBQs and field fires put added pressure on crews

Firefighters are making a plea to families in the final days of the school summer holidays after tackling a series of outdoor fires which spread quickly in the hot, dry weather.

They are asking people to hold off on bonfires until there’s been some rainfall and to take extra care with barbecues by keeping them away from sheds, fences, trees and grass.

In recent days, crews have tackled a number of serious outdoor fires.

On Tuesday evening, six crews extinguished a fire in Brightlingsea affecting a workshop and two gardens.

The fire was caused by a bonfire that had burned out of control.

Firefighters have also responded to other recent incidents including a gas barbecue in Harlow which caused a garden fire and spread to a fence, shed and aviary and a bonfire which burned out of control in Rayleigh. 

They also contained an outdoor fire in Great Maplestead that spread across two fields.

These incidents are a reminder of how quickly outdoor fires can escalate.

The weather is likely to turn cooler and wetter later this week, but the risk remains high until then.

Ben Turner, Group Manager at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We want people to enjoy the last of the summer holidays, but we also need them to be alert to the risks.

"In the past week alone we’ve seen outdoor fires escalate into incidents that threatened homes, gardens and fields.

"Fires like these spread faster than people expect and they put people, property and our crews under pressure.

"A few simple steps really do reduce the risk: please avoid having bonfires until we’ve had a couple of days of rain, keep barbecues away from sheds and fences and never leave them unattended.

"By taking extra care, you’re helping protect your family, your neighbours and the wider community – and you’re helping to make sure our crews are ready to respond wherever they’re needed most.”

Stay safe – our top safety tips:

🔴 Barbecues: Place them on flat ground, well away from sheds, fences, trees and dry grass. Keep a bucket of water or sand nearby. Never leave them unattended.

🔴 Bonfires: Avoid lighting one until we’ve had a couple of days of rain. If you do, never use petrol or other accelerants. Keep a hosepipe or water supply to hand. Don’t burn in windy conditions and never make the fire too large.

🔴 Cigarettes and litter: Always put cigarettes out properly and dispose of them safely.

🔴 Garden waste: Use recycling or composting services where possible instead of burning.

Ben added: “Our crews will always be there in an emergency, but prevention is far better than response.

"As we move into the final days of summer, please do your part to reduce the risk of outdoor fires and keep our communities safe.