Wildlife Charity Urges Caution to Prevent Countryside Fires During Heatwave

East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service (WRAS) is urging members of the public to take extra care when walking or picnicking in the countryside and parks during the current spell of hot, dry weather, as the risk of fires is significantly increased.

Wildfires can be devastating to the environment, destroying habitats, nesting sites, food sources and killing countless wild animals — many of whom are too small, too slow, or too hidden to escape in time.

“Although larger animals usually flee at the first sign of danger, some smaller creatures like hedgehogs, fledgling birds, and reptiles may try to hide or simply aren’t fast enough to outrun the flames,” said Trevor Weeks MBE, founder of WRAS. “Sadly, many wildlife casualties don’t survive fires, so we often don’t see the true scale of the impact. Entire broods of birds can be lost along with the nests, and the fires also wipe out insects and plant life that are vital food sources.”

WRAS is highlighting that most countryside fires are caused by human activity. Nationally, it’s estimated that 90% of wildfires are started by people — often accidentally — through dropped cigarettes, discarded glass bottles, and the use of disposable barbecues.

🔥 Key Facts:

• Wildfires in the UK double during hot, dry weather, especially in summer.
• Fires can move as fast as 14mph, devastating wide areas quickly.
• A single glass bottle left in grass can magnify sunlight and ignite a blaze.
• Nesting birds, mammals with young, and reptiles are particularly vulnerable.

Despite the dramatic nature of these fires, data on the wildlife impact remains limited. “That’s because so many of the animals affected by fires don’t survive long enough to be rescued,” said Weeks. “The damage is silent and often unseen.”

✅ WRAS is urging the public to:

• Avoid using disposable barbecues in open countryside or parks.
• Never discard cigarettes or matches, even into sand or soil.
• Take all rubbish, especially glass bottles, home with you.
• Call 999 immediately if you see smoke or fire.
• Support East Sussex WRAS in it’s fight to protect and support our local wildlife by donating online at www.wildlifeambulance.org

East Sussex WRAS is asking everyone to help protect the countryside and the creatures that call it home by staying vigilant and respectful of the risks.

FACT FILE:

🔥 Countryside Fire Risk – Key Statistics and Facts for Public Awareness

1. Human activity is the biggest cause of wildfires:

• Around 90% of wildfires in the UK are caused by human actions, not natural causes.
  (Source: National Fire Chiefs Council)

2. Summer brings the highest risk:

• Wildfire incidents double during hot, dry periods, especially in late spring and summer (April to August).
  (Source: Met Office & UK Fire & Rescue Services)

3. Careless behaviour is a major culprit:

• Dropped cigarettes, disposable BBQs, glass bottles (which can magnify the sun’s rays), and unattended campfires are among the top causes of countryside fires.
• Even a single glass bottle left behind can start a fire under the right conditions.

4. Fires can spread incredibly fast:

• Wildfires in dry grassland can move at up to 14mph – faster than most people can run.
  (Source: Natural England)

5. The cost to emergency services is significant:

• Wildfires cost the UK economy an estimated £55 million per year, including the cost of fire service callouts and environmental damage.
  (Source: DEFRA and the Scottish Government)

6. Damage to wildlife is devastating:

• Fires during nesting season (spring/summer) can wipe out entire broods of ground-nesting birds, kill reptiles and amphibians, and displace countless other species.

7. Recent examples show increasing risk:

• The 2023 wildfires in East Sussex and Surrey burned hundreds of hectares of land, including SSSIs (Sites of Special Scientific Interest).
• In 2022, over 200 serious wildfires were recorded across the UK – the highest on record.
  (Source: UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology)

More useful information can be found on East Sussex Fire & Rescue Services website https://www.esfrs.org/wildfire-ready