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Firefighters extinguish deliberately lit fires at Burton Dassett County Park
11/08/2022
Park Rangers say they’ve been extremely lucky to avoid major damage
Firefighters were called to the Burton Dassett Country Park on Wednesday morning to extinguish a tree log that had caught fire due to the suspected use of a disposable barbecue. Its the second time the emergency services have been called to the park this week and comes after Park Rangers pleaded with people to look after the area.
They have pointed out barbecues are banned at all times in the park and not to risk using them, especially with conditions being tinder dry.
Its suspected that a barbecue was lit next to a large, felled tree log that is used to define the edge of the carpark. A burnt disposable barbecue was found in the bin next to the log, along with paper and card that could have been used to turn the barbecue into a fire. It appears this spread to the dry log next to it.
Park Rangers say they’ve been extremely lucky to avoid major damage.
Earlier this week a typical campfire was built from wood in the middle of a very dry woodland, surrounded by very dry pine needles and other dry bushes.
A spokesperson for Warwickshire County Council said: “We were extremely fortunate it was discovered early as it could have easily spread and caught the whole woodland alight – possibly the two very dry farmer fields next to it, and the hills themselves.
“It doesn’t seem any attempt was made by the lighter to extinguish the fire after they were finished with it, and they just walked away and left a live fire.”
Both fires appear to have been lit purposely by visitors. They were discovered by early morning dog walkers that live locally.
Two weeks ago we reported that sheep at the Burton Dassett Country Park are being hit and killed by people illegally off-roading – driving their vehicles off the roads.
Warwickshire County Council say the hot weather has brought thousands of people to enjoy the Burton Dassett Hills. They say that sadly a minority have created real problems for the ranger team.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam