Fire crews issue warning as dry weather increases countryside fire risk

Fire crews are urging people to take extra care as the continued dry weather leaves fields, grass verges and hedgerows particularly vulnerable to fire.

On Friday, firefighters attended a blaze at the side of a road which was fortunately brought under control before it could spread into nearby fields. Crews warned that the outcome could easily have been very different.

Today, crews were called to a field fire in Ripple, where the blaze was extinguished using two hose reel jets, beaters and a drag fork.

After returning to the station, crews had barely had time to reset before being mobilised again. Within just 10 minutes, they were sent as a relief crew to Harvington, near Evesham, where a large field fire had spread beyond the field itself, affecting hedgerows, gardens and sheds.

The incident became serious enough that people in the area had to be evacuated.

With the ground exceptionally dry, firefighters are reminding everyone that it can take just one careless moment to start a potentially devastating fire.

People are being asked not to throw cigarette ends, matches or rubbish from vehicles. A discarded cigarette or even glass left in dry vegetation – can potentially contribute to fires which put homes, wildlife, crops and livelihoods at risk.

A few seconds of care can prevent hours of devastation for residents and emergency services.

🔥 If you spot a fire, move to a safe place and call 999 immediately.

Please take extra care while out and about and help protect our local countryside during the dry weather.