Emergency call-outs for outdoor fires in North Yorkshire have jumped significantly across the county this summer, prompting gratitude from the Deputy Mayor and a reminder for the public to stay vigilant.
Emergency call-outs for fires have jumped by more than twenty per cent across the county this summer.
Firefighters have responded to eight hundred and fifty incidents between June and August, with five hundred and fifty of those blazes occurring out in the open.
The latest figures represent a twenty-one per cent increase compared to the same period last year, and a fifty-five per cent surge from two thousand and twenty-four.
Dry conditions and a nationwide increase in wildfires have driven this unprecedented demand for emergency responders.
A temporary government ban on the sale of disposable barbecues remains in force to help mitigate the danger. The national measure follows a series of significant blazes across the country and a specific call for action from the region's Mayor and Deputy Mayor.
Local leaders pushed for the restriction following the devastating Langdale and Fylingdales Moor wildfire last summer, which caused severe damage to the rural landscape.
Residents and visitors are being encouraged to play their part in keeping communities safe as the summer draws to a close.
Officials are continuing to urge the public to reduce the risk of further incidents by supporting the regional 'Don't Spark Disaster' campaign. The safety initiative is backed by the North York Moors National Park, North Yorkshire Council, Forestry England, and the North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.
The campaign highlights the devastating impact that wildfires can have on the environment and provides guidance on how people can minimise the risks.
Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime, Jo Coles, has thanked firefighters across the county for their exceptional dedication following the exceptionally busy period.
Jo Coles said:
"Our firefighters do an incredible job every day, many of them alongside their substantive jobs. It’s been a real privilege to meet so many of them over the last few weeks to see first-hand their professionalism, and commitment to keeping people safe across our county every day.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has seen a significant rise in the number of emergency call outs to outdoor fires this summer. For on-call teams, that means more call outs, more flexibility being asked of employers and more time away from their families. Thank you to employers and families for the support they give to our firefighting community every day.
The August Bank Holiday is often one of busiest periods for emergency services. The public can do their bit to support our services by following the ‘Don’t Spark Disaster’ campaign advice from the fire service."
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