Awareness campaign follows devastating wildfire last summer
From left to right, council leader Cllr Carl Les, NY Highways officer Paul Wigman and NY Highways Thirsk depot supervisor Alex McFarlane with one of the roadside signs that has been put in place at Sutton Bank to warn of the dangers of wildfires.
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 all 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.
Help protect the North York Moors while making the most of your visit. Warmer, drier weather increases the risk of wildfires, so it’s important to take simple steps to keep this special landscape safe for everyone. Follow the guidance and play your part in preventing fires.
Stay safe and protect the moors - find out how on the North York Moors website
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 Moors, 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 Moors 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.
A firefighter is pictured dousing moorland on Fylingdales Moor last summer with flames from the wildfire visible on the horizon. (Pic credit: Paul Edwards, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service).
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.
However, visitors are still 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.