The RSPB have brought in new measures to keep Dovestones safe from devastating wildfires this summer.
The popular beauty spot is always a hit with walkers, attracting massive crowds during periods of warm weather. Unfortunately, the popularity of the area means the site is prone to wildfires, and a public space protection order is in place to stop any BBQs, campfires, and fireworks from being lit.
After several devastating wildfires in recent years, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage and destroying precious habitats, the RSPB and United Utilities, the landowner of the beauty spot, have put extra measures into place to lower the risk of fires at Dovestones.
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A grant given to the RSPB by the Nature for Climate fund has allowed for two seasonal fire rangers to be employed at Dovestones, helping to raise awareness of wildfires and their devastating consequences. The team will work with visitors on site and an outreach programme in schools and the local community to help visitors understand what they can do to prevent them.
The fire rangers will patrol Dovestones and the Longdendale Valley, watching out for fires, reporting suspicious activity, and picking litter as well as reminding visitors about the public space protection order and the fact BBQs, campfires, and fireworks are all banned from the site. Anyone found breaching this order risks a large fine, or even prosecution if their actions lead to a wildfire.
Corrie Porter-Young, one of the fire rangers at Dovestones, started in mid-March. She said: “It has been very rewarding speaking to visitors and knowing that I am helping to raise awareness of this important issue. While we want people to have fun out in nature, this can be done in a safe way. For example, by swapping a BBQ for a picnic and taking litter home.
"Most people wouldn’t dream of leaving litter or lighting any kind of fire in a national park but a minority still do. Hopefully our presence on site will help to discourage this. Helping to prevent fires or reporting them early is something everyone can assist with.
"We are appealing to visitors, local residents and sports groups using the site to be extra eyes on the ground and to always report any smoke or flames on the hill by calling 999 and asking for the fire service. Never assume it is a planned burn or that someone else has already called it in. The Fire Service would much rather be told and be able to make that decision for themselves.”
Local primary and secondary schools have been given assemblies about the risks of wildfires and how they can be prevented, with a competition taking place for primary school students to design signs for the area telling people about the dangers of fires. The RSPB is also looking for volunteers to help with fire watch.
The RSPB work with United Utilities to manage around 4,000 hectares of land around Dovestones, with some massive work coming up to restore the peatland around the reservoir. Most of the land is blanket bog, which is particularly vulnerable to wildfires as it has taken thousands of years to form and is very costly and time-intensive to repair.
Volunteers have worked alongside the organisation to play moss called sphagnum, which acts as a sponge to hold water into the moorland, with stone dams being installed at the openings of deep gullies within the peat to retain water levels in the bogland, helping to increase the area's resilience to wildfires if they do break out.
Miriam Biran, RSPB visitor experience manager, said: “When it comes to wildfire prevention we all have a role to play and no one organisation is doing this single-handedly. The RSPB, United Utilities, National Trust, private landowners and managers, local authorities and emergency services to name but a few are all working towards the same goal of protecting a cherished and valuable landscape.”
Oldham Council, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, and GMP are working alongside RSPB and United Utilities to protect the moorland over the next few months as the wildfire risk increases. One of the things they will be doing is making sure people are aware of the public space protection order in place, banning fires or BBQs on the moorland.
GMP will be carrying out dedicated patrols in the Dovestones area in Greenfield to help raise awareness and deal with any breaches of the order, which can result in fines or even prosecution.
Jim Willmott, Group Manager for Bury, Oldham and Rochdale at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We can all enjoy the countryside over the Jubilee weekend, but we want people to do so safely and responsibly. Even a small wildfire can cause a huge amount of damage and destruction to the local environment and wildlife. They also take up significant time and resources for our crews to respond to, so I’d like to remind people to protect our moors and never light a barbecue or fire of any kind in the countryside.”
