A spell without rain means many heathlands, moorlands and grasslands are ‘tinder dry’ and run the risk of catching fire from the tiniest hot ember or spark which would leave the land scorched and nature without a home. 

In recent summers, some parts of the UK experienced the driest weather since 1935.

In this region, even by mid-April this year, it  was exceptionally dry with the peat on the wildlife charity’s Whitelee Moor reserve seriously affected as the sphagnum moss that covers peat turned from green to white which resulted in the peat drying out and becoming, not only a fire risk, but also affecting the many birds, mammals and insects relying on the mosses for survival.

The wildlife charity is now asking visitors to its reserves in Newcastle, Northumberland, and North Tyneside to help it by:

• Packing a picnic, not a disposable BBQ.
• Only lighting BBQs or campfires in authorised locations with a fire pit where there are fire extinguishers available.
• Extinguishing cigarettes or matches and never throwing them onto the ground.
• Taking litter home because discarded bottles and cans can cause fires.
• Anybody spotting smoke, or flames should make sure they are safe and then dial 999 immediately.

Duncan Hutt, Northumberland Wildlife Trust Director of Conservation says:

“Changing weather patterns, including longer, drier spells, means wild places are much more susceptible to wildfires. These events are devastating for wildlife and communities, destroying precious habitats, and costing enormous of money.

“It’s brilliant that people want to go out enjoying nature, but we urge everyone to act responsibly. Please don’t have fires or BBQs in wild places and if you spot smoke or flames, make sure you’re safe and call 999 immediately. By following simple guidance, we can all make sure that days out in the sun don’t become tragedies for nature.”