Essex County Fire and Rescue Service is calling on rural residents to join together and take action to help prevent wildfires this summer after crews responded to six large field fires within a 48-hour period.

With the current spell of hot, dry weather set to continue, the risk of fires spreading rapidly across crops, grassland and farmland remains high. This potentially puts livelihoods, wildlife and rural communities at risk.

As Essex Fire enters one of the busiest periods of the year, fire crews are encouraging everyone working and living in rural areas to prepare now and know what to do if a fire breaks out.

Ollie Everott, Rural Engagement Officer at ECFRS said: “Rural communities have a higher risk of wildfires being surrounded by the countryside and we really need local residents to help us.

“Not only are fires devastating for homeowners and landowners, they often spread out of control quickly through dry vegetation which requires a lot of our resources to put the fire out and often means a lot of disruption to locals with roads being closed and areas being cordoned off for long periods of times.

“We need everyone’s help to prevent wildfires this summer and would ask everyone enjoying our countryside to be mindful of the things that could start fires like bonfires, barbeques, discarded cigarettes and litter. We can all play a part in keeping our countryside safe this summer.

“We need help from you to not only prevent fires from happening in the first place but to report incidents as quickly as possible. Early reporting and good preparation can make a significant difference in preventing small fires from becoming large-scale incidents, helping us protect Essex’s farms, crops and rural communities.”

ECFRS’s Rural Engagement Officer Ollie is available to provide advice and support on farm fire safety and wildfire prevention. Contact him via: www.essex-fire.gov.uk/farm

Ollie’s tips to keep us all safe this summer: 

See it, report it

If you see a fire in the countryside, report it immediately by calling 999. Early detection can prevent it from developing into a large wildfire incident. Know where you are, apps like the free mobile app what3words can help with this. 

Bonfires

In hot and dry weather, please avoid having bonfires as it only takes an ember to catch dry vegetation to start a field fire.

Barbeques and open fires

Avoid having open fires or using barbecues in the countryside – pack a picnic. Barbecues and campfires are banned in many country parks, campsites, and open spaces. 

Cigarettes 

Stub any smoking materials out properly and don’t throw cigarette ends on the ground or out of your car.

We need everyone’s help 

Most wildfires start with human intervention, so we need everyone who enjoys our beautiful open spaces to help us protect our beautiful countryside.

A busy 36 hours for crews

Over 36 hours, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service has seen five large field fires as well as an increase in outdoor fires:

Saffron Walden at 11am on 6 July

Three crews were called to two acres of stubble and several hay bales on fire. The fire was caused by farm machinery.

Fryerning at 12:44pm on 6 July

Three crews were called to a fire affecting 10 acres of standing crop caused by bonfire embers.

Weeley at 2:25pm on 6 July

Eight crews worked to put out a field fire affecting around 50 acres of heathland.

Epping at 11:07am on 7 July

Eight crews worked with a farmer to put out a field fire affecting two hectares of stubble.

Woodham Walter at 6:13pm on 7 July

Four crews worked to put out a field fire affecting three hectares of stubble and farm machinery in Woodham Walter.

Fordham Heath at 2:56pm on 8 July

Four crews worked to put out a fire affecting five hectares of crops.

Read more about the incidents ECFRS has attended at www.essex-fire.gov.uk/incidents