People are being urged to pack a picnic instead of a barbecue to prevent wildfires this summer. During scorching heat in 2022 and 2023, wildfires blazed across parts of the Sussex countryside . The Met Office said 2023 was the world’s hottest year on record and 2024 could be another year of high temperatures, risking heatwaves and fires across the country.
The RSPB and West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service have joined forces to ask people to help them protect Sussex’s RSPB nature reserves and the wider countryside from wildfires. The charity is reminding visitors that barbecues and campfires are not permitted on RSPB England nature reserves but picnics are very welcome. Smokers are asked to take extra care and to extinguish cigarettes in a safe manner.
Visitors are also reminded to take home any litter when enjoying Sussex's green spaces as fires can be sparked from unlikely items during warm, dry weather. Food discarded outdoors can also cause issues for resident wildlife and the RSPB asks people to dispose of it at home. READ MORE: Firefighters tackle wildfire which was seen from space Last month, a woodland fire was started at RSPB Pulborough Brooks by visitors lighting a campfire on site, which is strictly prohibited.
The fire resulted in damaged to trees and adjacent habitats but fortunately heavy rain that evening prevented it from spreading. Had it been a dry, sunny day the consequences could have been devastating to the entire reserve, wildlife and people visiting t.
