Sussex Fire Service Launches New Campaign To Prevent Wildfires

Friday, 16 June 2023 07:20

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service has met with Ashdown Forest Rangers to launch their new ‘We’re Wildfire Ready…Are you?’ leaflet.

The leaflets will be placed in their visitors centre for members of the public who live around or visit green spaces and areas of wildfire risk.

They focus on wildfire safety, prevention, protection and how to respond in the event of an emergency. The leaflet also offers advice on bbq safety, campfires etc.

Firefighters are identifying local areas of risk and distributing leaflets to public places such as visitor centres, information centres and local council buildings in the county.

Station Manager Trevor Funnell said:

“Wildfires are unpredictable, can spread quickly and can have a devastating impact to homes, land, wildlife and the community. We want people to enjoy our beautiful surroundings in East Sussex so it’s vitally important to take precautions and check your home for risks in order to keep you and your loved ones safe.”

Ashdown Forest Senior Ranger Chris Sutton said:

“This information is a useful reminder, especially during the hot, dry weather we are having, to protect the Forest and its wildlife. We welcome this advice such as extinguishing cigarettes carefully and taking all litter home with you. We also want to remind members of the public to please not light BBQ’s, campfires or stoves on the Forest at any time”.

By working together we can help reduce the risk of wildfires.

There will also be a social media campaign and competition running alongside the launch so please look out for messages and share!

For more advice on how to be ‘wildfire ready’ please visit: https://www.esfrs.org/wildfire-advice

For more information obtaining our ‘We’re Wildfire Ready…Are you?’ leaflets please contact communications@esfrs.org