NEW figures reveal that Cumbria's fire service have been called out to 62 incidents of wildfires in the Lake District in 2021 - a figure which has risen drastically since 2017.
A Freedom of Information request (FOI), submitted by Mr Schofield to Cumbria County Council, shows over a 200 per cent increase in wildfire incidents in land managed or owned by Natural England in the Lakes when comparing 2021 to 2018.
The FOI shows that in the year 2017/18, the fire service responded to 19 wildfire incidents in the region, a figure which has now risen to 62 by the end of 2021.
Culminating the data over the five year period, it shows that in total there have been 223 wildfire incidents on Natural England land in the Lake District.
As well as, the figures also indicate that during 2020 and 2021, the fire service have attended 395 wildfire call outs, but of which were false alarms.
Cumbria's Fire and Rescue Service also attended 6 wildfires in North Walney and Sandscale Haws, in the South of Cumbria - bringing the fire incident count within the whole region up to 229 occurrences.
Reducing the risk of wildfires is key at this time of the year, and raising awareness is one way in which the risk can be reduced - especially as high temperatures coupled with a long spells of dry weather create the perfect breeding grounds to set alight to hillsides, moors and heathland.
Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service’s Head of Community Safety, Craig Drinkald said:
"We are asking the public to think and act with extreme caution and think twice before using anything involving a naked flame in a rural setting.
"Many rural and remote communities are hugely impacted by wildfires, which can cause significant damage.
"Livestock, land and wildlife can all be devastated by these fires - as can the lives of people living and working in rural communities.
"These fires can also have a hugely negative impact on the environment and the release of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.
"Human behaviour can significantly lower the chance of a wildfire starting, so it is crucial that people act safely and responsibly in rural environments, and always follow the Countryside Code," he said.
A spokesperson from Natural England said: "We want everyone to be able to enjoy the outdoors, however if you are visiting the Lake District or any other natural area there are simple steps, we can all take to reduce the risk of starting a fire:
• Do not have open fires (campfires or barbeques) in the countryside. Always have them in safe designated areas.
• Extinguish cigarettes properly and use a portable ashtray they are available from some Forestry Commission sites. Don’t throw cigarette ends on the ground or out of car windows and take your litter home.
• Do not drop glass of any kind on the forest floor; this can sometimes start a fire, not to mention cutting somebody or injuring an animal if it is broken.
"If you see a fire in the countryside, get to a safe place, note the fire’s location, call 999 and ideally meet the Fire and Rescue Service at the site’s entrance," they said.
READ MORE: Wildfire warning in the county from Country Land and Business Association
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