Renewed pleas to prevent heathland wildfires
Surrey Fire and RescueFirefighters and conservation groups in Surrey are calling for countryside visitors to take steps to prevent wildfires.
Surrey Fire & Rescue Service and the Surrey Nature Partnership warned green spaces including the county's "internationally significant heathlands" were at risk of fire.
The public can reduce the risk by avoiding barbecues in heathland, disposing of cigarettes safely, and binning or taking home litter, according to authorities.
The plea comes as forecasters expect another heatwave in south-east England, following a record-breaking hot spell in June.
"Most wildfires in Surrey are caused by human activity and are preventable," said the partnership, which includes Surrey County Council and land managers like the National Trust.
"But everyone can do their bit to keep wildlife, people and property safe."
The organisations said extreme temperatures were already affecting Surrey and "now is the time for extra vigilance".
Marli Holland, rural affairs officer at the fire service, said: "Wildfires can cause devastating damage to our countryside, wildlife and local communities, often taking years to recover.
"We're urging people to take simple steps to reduce the risk."
Surrey County CouncilSeveral wildfires have broken out in the county already in 2026, including at protected sites like Hankley Common, Blackheath Common and Whitmoor Common.
The National Trust said four barbecue fires were put out during the May Bank Holiday weekend at its Box Hill site alone.
Over 650 acres (263 hectares) of heathland burned in one fire at Pirbright Ranges in 2022.
James Herd, director of reserves management at Surrey Wildlife Trust, said in total about 2,500 acres of the trust's land was damaged by fire that year.
"That risk will undoubtedly be made worse as our climate becomes increasingly Mediterranean due to climate change," he said.
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