Residents and visitors in Northumberland have been warned of the risk of wildfires this summer as temperatures increase and the busiest tourism season approaches.
There have been no recorded wildfires in Northumberland so far this year, but last year, the county's countryside was scorched by a total of 15, one of which burned through five hectares of woodland and took the emergency services 11 days to put out. The blaze at Redesdale Forest saw gallons of water brought by helicopters to assist teams on the ground.
When it comes to wildfire incidents, the four most susceptible areas are woodlands, moorlands, farmlands and dunes. And in the North East this year, firefighters have already been called out to a fire at Prestwick Carr which was tackled by neighbouring force Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, with Northumberland offering advice to residents in Ponteland as the smoke was blown towards the village.
