More than 50 firefighters were called to put out a significant wildfire near Newcastle Airport.
At 1.20pm today (Wednesday), Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) received a report of fire and appliances were immediately dispatched to Prestwick Carr near Newcastle Airport. There were 10 fire appliances called to the scene with 56 firefighters, including officers, tackling a fire covering an estimated 5,000 square metres.
The sweltering weather and tinder dry conditions led to a quick spread of the fire. The cause of the fire is not yet known, however, it has not affected operations at the Airport, its press team confirmed.
Read more: Newcastle wildfire LIVE: Updates as firefighters tackle large blaze in Prestwick
Paul Russell, Area Manager for Tyne and Wear Fire Service, said: "The hot and dry conditions do make areas like this vulnerable to wildfires and we are working to keep the fire from spreading.
"There are no residential properties in the immediate vicinity so we don’t believe there is any risk to life or property at this time. However, there is a significant amount of smoke so our advice is to keep doors and windows closed if you live nearby.
"We are working with our partner agencies to manage the scene and we will be here extinguishing the fire throughout the evening. I want to praise the response of fire control and firefighters who are working very hard, in really hot and difficult conditions, to keep communities safe.
"Please support them in their response by avoiding the area and providing us the space to bring this incident under control."
TWFRS have previously advised the public not to use disposable BBQs in open spaces, and to make sure they are fully out before placing them in a bin or leaving them unattended.
They have also asked the public not start bonfires to dispose of rubbish and do not leave rubbish, particularly glass bottles, in fields or parks.
People have also been urged not to leave litter in fields as materials like glass can start fires as they magnify the sun’s rays.
The core site of Prestwick Carr is owned by the Ministry of Defence, while the rest is a nature reserve managed by Northumberland Wildlife Trust - though there is no access to the public. A large, low-lying wetland area which attracts various wading birds and songbirds such as pipit and skylark, part of Prestwick Carr has a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is a relic of lowland raised mire, which is one of the rarest habitats in the world and one of only a handful left in the UK.
Duncan Hutt, Northumberland Wildlife Trust director of conservation, said: "It’s an important bit of habitat and an important peat bog area that’s drier than it should be. It’s going to suffer from a fire over it and we have got a heightened risk of wildfires as there’s an amber weather warning."
Northumberland Wildlife Trust also offered the public five pieces of advice to avoid wildfires, which are:
- Packing a picnic, not a disposable BBQ
- Only lighting BBQs or campfires in authorised locations with a fire pit where there are fire extinguishers available
- Extinguishing cigarettes or matches and never throwing them onto the ground
- Taking litter home because discarded bottles and cans can cause fires
- Anybody spotting smoke, or flames should make sure they are safe and then dial 999 immediately
Mr Hutt continued: "Changing weather patterns, including longer, drier spells, means wild places are much more susceptible to wildfires. These events are devastating for wildlife and communities, destroying precious habitats and costing enormous of money.
"It’s brilliant that people want to go out enjoying nature but we urge everyone to act responsibly. Please don’t have fires or BBQs in wild places and if you spot smoke or flames, make sure you’re safe and call 999 immediately. By following simple guidance, we can all make sure that days out in the sun don’t become tragedies for nature."
The Ministry of Defence was also contacted for comment.
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