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10:26am Wednesday 1st June 2011 in News
By Chris Yandell, Chief Reporter, New Forest
FIRE chiefs have warned that devastating blazes could destroy parts of the New Forest unless visitors take extra care over the summer.
Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service has issued a plea to the public following the warmest spring since 1659 and forecasts of an exceptionally hot June and July.
New Forest group manager Steve Quinn said: “Our top priority is safety.
“We would urge the public to take care when in the countryside and alert the service to fires as early as possible by calling 999.
An early call could mean the difference between a small, easily controllable fire and a devastating one.”
Nick Tucker, head of recreation and community engagement for the Forestry Commission, said: “We want everyone to have an enjoyable time visiting our forests but we take extremely seriously the threat posed by fire.
“The weather has been great for exploring the woods but it’s important to remember that even a carelessly discarded cigarette or barbecue can spark a fire.”
Alison Barnes, chief executive of the New Forest National Park Authority, added: “We have already seen from other parts of the country how devastating such fires can be.
“Clearly the New Forest is in the same position as we await significant rainfall. Everyone has a part to play in keeping the Forest safe.”
Forest Watch, set up to tackle rural issues across the district, is urging visitors to use only designated barbecue sites.
A spokesman said: “Never start a campfire as they can get out of hand very quickly. Don’t throw cigarettes out of car windows or drop them on the forest floor – use a portable ashtray. Never drop glass of any kind. This can start a fire, not to mention cutting someone or injuring an animal.”
Comments(6)
Shoong
says...
11:38am Wed 1 Jun 11
Paramjit Bahia wrote:Typically, you have to bring politics into it & could have summed it up in a few sentences rather than dragging it out into rambling crud as always.
Yes it takes only one brainless wonder to be bit careless and end up in starting fire which could end up in massive fire. It has happened in many places before and there can never a guarantee against this danger lurking in the back ground
.
Yes visitors to the forest should take maximum care all the time, but with this wonderful weather we are lucky to have lately, the potential danger will increase
.
Well organised response to every possibility of fire has got to be in place. So it will be nice to know what kind of knock on effect this Con-Dem Coalition’s cuts are having on the Fire Brigade/Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service
.
The views of some representative of FBU on this subject in Echo’s copy could have been very useful.
freemantlegirl2
says...
1:42pm Wed 1 Jun 11
Shoong wrote:You really take the biscuit Shoong, you never have anything positive to say. Paramjit makes a perfectly valid point relevant to the story, so the only problem is with you....
Paramjit Bahia wrote:Typically, you have to bring politics into it & could have summed it up in a few sentences rather than dragging it out into rambling crud as always.
Yes it takes only one brainless wonder to be bit careless and end up in starting fire which could end up in massive fire. It has happened in many places before and there can never a guarantee against this danger lurking in the back ground
.
Yes visitors to the forest should take maximum care all the time, but with this wonderful weather we are lucky to have lately, the potential danger will increase
.
Well organised response to every possibility of fire has got to be in place. So it will be nice to know what kind of knock on effect this Con-Dem Coalition’s cuts are having on the Fire Brigade/Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service
.
The views of some representative of FBU on this subject in Echo’s copy could have been very useful.
Shoong
says...
4:28pm Wed 1 Jun 11
freemantlegirl2 wrote:I take the biscuit?
Shoong wrote:You really take the biscuit Shoong, you never have anything positive to say. Paramjit makes a perfectly valid point relevant to the story, so the only problem is with you....
Paramjit Bahia wrote:Typically, you have to bring politics into it & could have summed it up in a few sentences rather than dragging it out into rambling crud as always.
Yes it takes only one brainless wonder to be bit careless and end up in starting fire which could end up in massive fire. It has happened in many places before and there can never a guarantee against this danger lurking in the back ground
.
Yes visitors to the forest should take maximum care all the time, but with this wonderful weather we are lucky to have lately, the potential danger will increase
.
Well organised response to every possibility of fire has got to be in place. So it will be nice to know what kind of knock on effect this Con-Dem Coalition’s cuts are having on the Fire Brigade/Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service
.
The views of some representative of FBU on this subject in Echo’s copy could have been very useful.
Brite Spark
says...
4:56pm Wed 1 Jun 11
TheJeepster
says...
12:34am Thu 2 Jun 11
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Paramjit Bahia says...
11:25am Wed 1 Jun 11
.
Yes visitors to the forest should take maximum care all the time, but with this wonderful weather we are lucky to have lately, the potential danger will increase
.
Well organised response to every possibility of fire has got to be in place. So it will be nice to know what kind of knock on effect this Con-Dem Coalition’s cuts are having on the Fire Brigade/Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service
.
The views of some representative of FBU on this subject in Echo’s copy could have been very useful.