Picnic Over Barbecue: Fire Service Plea During Heat

Cornwall's fire service is facing an exceptionally busy period as heatwave conditions continue. Since the beginning of July, crews in the mid-Cornwall area alone have responded to at least 148 open fires. On-call firefighters have managed numerous challenging incidents, with one station noting it was tied as the busiest watch in the county.

Group Manager Steve Swan acknowledged the increased demand and the resource-intensive nature of some calls. The service is actively rotating crews to ensure their welfare while maintaining public safety. He expressed gratitude for the public's vigilance but issued a stark warning: current dry conditions make fires exceptionally easy to start. Consequently, the fire service is encouraging people to opt for picnics rather than barbecues to mitigate risks.