Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

Cornwall at 06/08/2003 12:20

Cornwall County Fire Brigade would like to warn the public, especially the visitors, of the potential dangers of gorse fires due to the hot weather conditions predicted over the next week.

We have seen intense and devastating fires in France, Portugal and Canada over the last few days, due to hot temperatures and very dry heath land. There is the potential for similar fires, although not on such a large scale, on our own land.

Davinia Grist, Public Relations Officer explains: “Visitors and locals should be extra vigilant when partaking in activities outside. They should ensure that smoking materials and barbeques are properly extinguished. Barbeques should be dowsed in water to ensure they are put right out”

Cornwall suffered hundreds of gorse fires at the beginning of the year. Gorse fires not only harm the land but can kill and endanger animals as well as potentially spreading to domestic properties and farm buildings.