As we anticipate record breaking temperatures today and after yesterday's high temperatures, our Control Room and crews have been responding to incidents across the Humber region.
In the past 24 hours, our Control Room has received 119 calls regarding fires in the open and the majority of these have been on small areas of grassland. These incidents have quickly been brought under control.
Our staff and partner agencies are working together to monitor the local area, and this includes known areas of open water where people may be tempted to jump in to keep cool but are unaware of the potential hidden dangers, such as cold water shock and debris. Read more about water safety here.
During prolonged periods of high temperatures and minimal rainfall, open heathland or wooded areas can be at risk of fire as grass and foliage becomes like a tinder box.
How the public can help reduce the likelihood of fires starting:
- Don’t discard cigarettes or matches whilst walking or driving through the countryside
- Don’t have BBQs in unauthorised areas and make sure it is cold before it is disposed of correctly
- Never leave a BBQ unattended
- Don’t start campfires in the countryside
- Don’t discard rubbish – litter such as reflective cans and glass can start fires
- If you live close to woodland or heathland, do not burn off garden rubbish during hot weather
- Report any evidence of illegal firesetting activity
What to do if you discover a fire:
- Move to a safe place and call the fire service on 999 immediately, provide as much detail as you can – size of fire, location and terrain
- Don’t tackle the fire
- If you haven’t already, evacuate the area as soon as possible – these fires can spread fast