Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 07/03/2012 09:32

Residents are being asked to be vigilant this month during the key period for wild fires in Cornwall.

More than half of the 81 wild fires in March last year were started deliberately, several which resulted in large-scale incidents. Others were the result of controlled burning, which in some cases spread.

To tackle the problem this year, Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service is highlighting the dangers. The service is also appealing to would-be arsonists to warn of the danger they can put themselves, and others, in.

“We recognise that controlled burning plays an important part in land management and ask that landowners notify us before they undertake a controlled burn,” said Station Manager David Carlisle. “We can then advise on any safety issues and also inform our 999 Control Room operators to ensure appliances are not mobilised to incidents unnecessarily.

“And for those who think setting fire to something is fun, might I just remind them of one consequence. When a fire engine is dealing with a deliberately set wasteland or high gorse fire, we may be delayed in attending other emergencies.”

For more information on wild fires and controlled burns visit Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service website www.cornwall.gov.uk/wildfires

Anyone with information about deliberately set fires can call Crimestoppers free and anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Related item: http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=30627