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Drought Sparks Wildfires, Cancels Steam Trains
18 Aug
Summary
- Fire services ask public not to report barbecue use unless an emergency.
- High volume of calls regarding garden fires and wildfires noted.
- Steam train services cancelled due to extreme drought conditions.
Fire services across the South East are appealing to the public to avoid reporting neighbours for using barbecues unless an emergency is occurring. This plea comes amid an unprecedented rise in calls related to garden fires and wildfires. East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service reported responding to 12 wildfires and 300 other fires in July, straining resources.
Compounding these concerns, the ongoing drought has led to extreme conditions, with parched landscapes highly susceptible to ignition. The Bluebell Railway and Kent & East Sussex Railway have consequently cancelled their steam engine services. These services will remain suspended until at least September to mitigate the risk of sparks igniting lineside fires and spreading into the surrounding countryside.
