Prescribed Burning - EWWF Statement


The EWWF has published the following statement, as a result of the concerns about wildfire, in all parts of the UK, not just on moorland, while the Fire & Rescue Services are struggling to meet their commitments with reduced numbers of personnel during the COVID-19 outbreak. Getting the burning done is important, but other things may be even more important right now.




 Prescribed Burning Advice – March and April 2020


The current warm and dry weather conditions are increasing the risk of wildfires across England and Wales. Several wildfire incidents occurred at the weekend and all of the ignitions were caused by people.

Like every section of society, the Fire & Rescue Services as well as other emergency services and community responders are currently stretched due to the COVID-19 national emergency, and they cannot guarantee to be able to provide the normal level of support for all wildfires. Therefore, everyone needs to be particularly careful to not start fires.

The EWWF recommends that anyone planning prescribed burning should carry out a risk assessment (see the guidance) and now this must also consider the reduced availability of Fire and Rescue Service resources to respond to any escaped fires.

The message must be that prescribed burning should only take place if it is absolutely essential to do so. If burning is to take place, it is even more important than normal that sufficient personnel and resources are available to manage the fire, without relying on external input. Landowners and land managers are urged to exercise caution and be more risk-averse than normal.

Also, the clear message from government is for everyone to stay home unless involved in essential activity. Prescribed burning is unlikely to be considered an essential activity.

c/o Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service, West Hartford Business Park, Cramlington,
NORTHUMBERLAND, NE23 3JP
Contact: Robert Stacey, EWWF Secretary
Chair: Simon Thorp                                                        Vice Chair: Dewi Rose, South Wales FRS

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