People visiting North Yorkshire's countryside are being warned of the extreme risk of more wildfires linked to campfires and disposable barbecues being lit in remote and tinder-dry rural locations across the county.
Road signs along key routes will be in place during the rest of the summer to reinforce the messages of the Don't Spark Disaster campaign, which encourages residents and visitors to take simple steps to prevent devastating fires in the countryside.
The move also follows ongoing reports of campfires being lit in wooded and moorland areas posing a serious risk to the environment, wildlife and the firefighters responding, as well as to local communities and property.
The Don’t Spark Disaster campaign follows the catastrophic wildfire at Fylingdales Moors last year.
The huge blaze caused massive disruption to residents and businesses, extensive damage to precious landscapes, wildlife habitats and farming land, and took a huge toll on fire and rescue service responders and wider partners.
Council leader, Cllr Carl Les, whose responsibilities include emergency planning, said: “North Yorkshire is home to some of the country's most beautiful and treasured landscapes, and we want everyone to enjoy them safely.
“Sadly, despite last year’s major incident at Fylingdales Moor, we continue to get reports of campfires being lit and left smouldering. There is understandable fear in some communities that there could be a repeat of last summer’s fire.
“These new roadside warning signs provide a clear reminder that fires, barbecues and other open flames have no place in our countryside. We know only too well how devastating they can be and how easily a wildfire can start.”
The cause of the wildfire on Fylingdales Moor last summer is believed to have been cooking using a naked flame, such as a campfire or gas burner.
The tinder-dry conditions that were evident on the North York Moors contributed to the scale and impact of the fire. At its height, the blaze covered 20 square kilometres, 10 times the size of the Great Fire of London.
The director of recreation and wellbeing at the North York Moors National Park Authority, Joel Brookfield, said: “While the term ‘wildfire’ might lead people to think that these events are natural or spontaneous, it’s the actions of people that pose the greatest risks.
“These highly visible signs will raise awareness of wildfire dangers and how everyone can reduce the risk, reinforcing the simple but vital messages at the heart of the Don’t Spark Disaster campaign.”
The roadside signs support the Don’t Spark Disaster campaign aimed at reducing the risk of devastating wildfires in North Yorkshire by delivering clear and impactful messages to residents and visitors to try to prevent wildfires.
The campaign highlights how seemingly small actions - such as discarding cigarettes and leaving glass bottles behind alongside lighting barbecues and campfires - can have devastating consequences for wildlife, landscapes, local communities and the emergency services.
The chair of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Derek Twine, said: “Recent wildfires across the country have demonstrated just how quickly fire can spread across our uplands.
“By installing these signs at key locations around the Dales, we are reinforcing a simple but vital message - don't spark disaster.
“Everyone coming into a National Park has a part to play in preventing wildfires by taking their litter home, disposing of cigarettes safely, and never lighting barbecues or campfires.”
However, visitors are still being encouraged to get outdoors and make the most of all that North Yorkshire has to offer.
The Don’t Spark Disaster campaign has highlighted that there are plenty of options for picnics in the county that do not require on-site cooking, helping people to enjoy a safe day out while reducing the risk of wildfires.
The campaign is being delivered by the North York Moors National Park Authority in partnership with ourselves, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Forestry England and North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service.
We funded the campaign, which is also being supported by our destination marketing and management service, Visit North Yorkshire.