Countryside fire safety advice

Grass fires can get out of hand very quickly, cause extensive damage and put lives at risk.

They can also last for several days once a fire takes hold using up valuable Fire Service resources which could be needed elsewhere.

Transcript - countryside fire safety video (new window, PDF 47KB)

Video - countryside fire safety tips (new window, Movie 17558KB)

Every year fire is responsible for the destruction of thousands of acres of countryside, open spaces and wildlife habitat with some fires lasting several days.

Tips to help to prevent grass fires

Avoid using open fires in the countryside
Do not leave bottles or glass in woodlands
Keep young children and ball games away from barbecues
Extinguish cigarettes and other smoking materials properly
Only use barbecues in suitable and safe areas and never leave them unattended
Never throw cigarette ends out of car windows - they can ruin whole fields of crops
Ensure that your barbecue is fully extinguished and cold before disposing of the contents
Sunlight shining through glass can start large fires - take glass bottles/jars home or put them in a waste or recycling bin

Please take care when in the countryside and alert the Service to fires as early as possible via 999 calls. An early call could mean the difference between a small, easily controllable fire and a widespread, devastating fire.

Outdoor safety leaflet

Fire Safety Outdoors (new window PDF 666 kb)

If a fire breaks out

If a fire breaks out, please call the Fire and Rescue Service immediately.

It can be hard to give the location for an open area so mention any landmarks, such as a public house or a church in the vicinity.

Do not attempt to put the fire out yourself unless it is very small. Grass and crop fire can travel very quickly and change direction without warning.

The Countryside Code

The Countryside Code contains advice for the public and landowners.

It has information about rights, responsibilities and liabilities and how we all have a duty to protect the countryside. Together with common sense, it helps to make it easy for visitors to act responsibly and identify possible dangers.

More information about the countryside code (opens in new window)

Fire Operations Group

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service is part of the Fire Operations Group, which was formed in 1996 after a serious moorland blaze. It brings together a partnership of six fire services, National Park rangers, National Trust wardens, water companies, major landowners and gamekeepers to draw up fire plans, oversee specialist fire-fighting equipment, raise awareness of moorland fires and the consequences and train for emergencies.

Fire Operations Group