Fire chiefs warn of beauty spot blazes when hot weather hits
Firefighters are bracing themselves for a rash of grass and rubbish blazes across the Black Country and Staffordshire as the start of the school holidays approaches.
Both the West Midlands and Staffordshire services have been dealing with a spike in calls since the start of the hot spell.
And they warn that with the ground so dry, it will take more than the odd shower of rain to wipe out the increased risk of fire.
The region's beauty spots are most in danger from potential blazes, deliberate and accidental, including Cannock Chase, Hednesford Hills, Severn Valley, Bewdley and Sedgley Beacon, as people enjoy barbecues in the sunshine.
Arsonists started two large grass fires at Sedgley Beacon at the weekend, with both blazes covering an area as large as 1,000 square metres.
Two weeks ago a grass fire in Kidderminster caused delays to the Severn Valley Railway services.
Service spokesman Neil Spencer said: "We have experienced a prolonged dry period and it will take a lot of rain for it to lower the fire risks.
"Clearly people want to be out enjoying the sunshine. All we ask is that they properly dispose of anything that could be considered a fire hazard, especially disposable barbecues, which should be fully extinguished and removed from the site when they go.
"Most parks and visitor attractions these days have an area designated to barbecues and we ask that people respect that and use them.
"Most people don't realise how quickly a fire can spread across an area, sometimes affecting properties and parked cars."
Fire chiefs warn of the long-term damage to the environment that a spate of blazes can inflict and also make the point that whilst emergency crews are tackling these blazes, they are not at road accidents and fires elsewhere.
Watch commander Brian Worrallo, at Fallings Park Fire Service, Wolverhampton, said: "We have been busy over the last couple of weeks dealing with secondary fires due to the very dry weather.
"Bushbury Hill, near the M54, is one of the hot spots. We have also been out repeatedly to a farmer's field in Linthouse Lane which lads play on a lot.
"We are expecting a spike in calls as the six-week school holiday approaches and our message is not to light any fires in the open."
