Whilst Calderdale was thankfully unaffected by recent high-profile blazes at nearby Marsden Moor and Ilkley Moor, it's important that local people and visitors recognise the part they play in supporting the Council, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, West Yorkshire Police and other local authorities in preventing any future incidents.
More information
Calderdale Council is working with West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue service in pursuing stricter prevention methods, through the introduction of Public Space Protection Orders, which would prohibit the use of barbecues and lighting of fires in defined areas of the countryside.
Calderdale Council's Chief Executive, Robin Tuddenham, said:
"We take the risk of moorland fires very seriously and recognise the importance of prevention activities in ensuring that we can protect our distinctive rural and moorland areas.
We want people to be able to enjoy our beautiful countryside, but we also have a duty to protect it. We are working with West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service to introduce stricter measures to prevent careless actions causing significant harm, which will be subject to formal consultation from Wednesday 8 May 2019. This could include the banning of any types of fire lighting on our moorland, including the use of barbecues.
Our existing prevention measures also include visits to landowners from our Community Safety Wardens, warning of the dangers of fires and also the penalties for starting fires. Signage is also in place to warn people of potential dangers and give advice on what to do if people see any problems on the moors.
But most important of all is the role of local people and visitors to act with care and vigilance whilst in our countryside, to act responsibly and report concerns to the authorities. By working together we can ensure our countryside remains a core part of what makes us so special and distinctive as we seek to deliver our Vision2024 for Calderdale.”
Calderdale District Commander (West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service), Chris Lawton, said:
"We wholeheartedly support any move to help protect the countryside and as we move into the summer months the risk of wildfires increases.
We do not want to stop anyone from enjoying the great outdoors but it is a simple fact that when the vegetation is so dry, all it takes is a dropped cigarette or the careless use of a barbecue to start a raging fire.
This then becomes an immediate threat to anyone in the area or any properties nearby and for the Fire Service these fires are challenging to contain and extinguish and can take up many days of our time and energy to do so. Please do take extra care if you are out and about.”
Calderdale District Commander (West Yorkshire Police), Chief Superintendent Dickie Whitehead, said:
"We are lucky enough to live, work and socialise in an area with beautiful countryside on our doorstep. While our communities are free to enjoy it, we also need to protect it.
While stricter measures are being considered, I would echo the messages from Calderdale Council and the Fire Service and urge the public to be aware of their surroundings and take appropriate precautions when lighting fires and using barbeques.
We hope by sharing these messages and advice, we can reiterate what the public can do in helping us to protect our countryside and rural areas.
What you can do to help
Stay safe and help protect the countryside, residents and visitors. When visiting rural and moorland areas, you must be aware of these rules:
- Do not discard cigarettes in the countryside! Dispose of smoking materials properly and make sure they have been "died out".
- Clear away bottles, glasses and any broken glass so they do not magnify the sun and start a fire.
- Report illegal fire setting activities and those that do it (anonymously) to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
If you see a fire:
- Contact the Fire Service immediately - dial 999 - Do not assume it has already been reported!
- Do not attempt to tackle fires that cannot be put out with a bucket of water.
- Give a map reference (if possible) or give a landmark like a farm or pub to help find the fire.
- Guess the size of the area that is burning.
- Say what type of terrain it is (grass, bracken, forest, open moorland).
- Leave the area as soon as possible.
Consultation
A formal consultation was launched on 8th May 2019 for people to have their say on the plans. This closed on 4th June 2019.
A Public Space Protection Order has been approved by the Council's Cabinet and put in place.
