During the summer, grass and mountains can become very dry, which means if you deliberately or accidentally start a fire outdoors it will spread very quickly, destroying everything in its path. The damage to the surrounding landscape and the effect on historic features, habitats and wildlife largely goes unrecognised.
- Do not leave fires unattended.
- It should be downwind, at least 10m from the tent.
- Build a stack that will collapse inwards whilst burning.
- Make sure that fires are fully extinguished after use.
- Clear dry vegetation leaves etc to form a circle of earth around the fire.
- Make sure that any embers being caught by the wind are not landing on other peoples’ tents or caravans.
- When burning anything in your garden please consider the effect the smoke may have on you neighbours.
- Smoke from your fire may force people to close windows and prevent them from cooling their homes. People with breathing difficulties and respiratory disorders often suffer more in hot conditions and the smoke from a fire may make their condition worse.
- If your neighbours have washing out, please let them know of your intentions to have a fire so that they have an opportunity to gather it in before you start burning.
- Be willing to extinguish your fire. If a neighbour is being affected by your fire please don’t take it personally. The considerate thing to do would be to extinguish the fire and relieve their discomfort.
The Wales Wildfire Board
The Wales Wildfire Board is a multi-agency approach to better understand and manage the risk of wildfire on the environment and the communities of Wales.
It’s aims and objectives, delivered through a Wales Wildfire Charter, build on the knowledge and experience gained over the last decade whilst paying cognisance to the ever-present danger of climate change and the value of encouraging communities and individuals to work together to protect the areas where we live, work and visit.
The Board aim to engage with various audiences, working together to support wildfire management, listening, and sharing practical solutions for Wales. Through this collaborative approach, agencies on the Wales Wildfire Board hope to provide a better understanding of what can be done to limit the number of wildfires fires, in turn, minimising the damage they can cause to our environment.
Wales Wildfire Charter
The Wales Wildfire Board’s Wildfire Charter is built on the knowledge and experience gained over the last decade whilst paying cognisance to the challenges of climate change and the value of encouraging communities and individuals to collaborate to protect the areas where we live, work and visit.
The Wales Wildfire Charter is formulated around three key themes, each designed to ensure the Board and its members are able to focus on the areas which not only require the most attention but will also have the biggest influence in improving our understanding of wildfires and how the Board can positively manage their impact.
Through an evolving partnership approach, the Wales Wildfire Board will bring together Welsh Government, Emergency Services, Public and Private Organisations, Landowners and Land Users to manage and develop our landscape.
The Wales Wildfire Board will contribute to the management of the landscape to protect wildlife, forestry, and livelihoods, improve well-being, health, and amenity, facilitate sustainable food production, and create a sense of place and community ownership.
The Wales Wildfire Board will implement a diverse range of management techniques to reduce the impact of wildfire on our communities and the landscape in Wales.
The Heather and Grass Burning Code
The Wales Wildfire Board is continuing its work with farmers and landowners across Wales, and together we can try to reverse the loss of Biodiversity in Wales. We understand the benefits and the role that controlled fires have on our landscape, in promoting biological diversity and creating healthier ecosystems.
Farmers and Landowners can continue to burn heather, grass, bracken, and gorse up until the 15 March (up to 31 March in Upland areas), however, they must have a Burn Plan in place to ensure they are burning safely. It is illegal to burn between sunset and sunrise and there must always be sufficient people and equipment on hand to control the burn. Breaking these rules can result in penalties of up to £1000. We want to work with our local landowners to ensure that this doesn’t happen. You can contact us for free advice on safe burning and we have more information on Farm Safety here.
You can find out more about The Heather and Grass Burning Code – and download a Burning Management Plan from the Welsh Government website (opens in a new window/tab).
If you see a fire which looks like it might be out of control or being burnt illegally, then please call CrimeStoppers (opens in a new window/tab) anonymously on 0800 555 111, or ring 101. In an emergency, always call 999.