Dorset has many large areas of heathland and forests, which are vulnerable to wildfires.
These can be started from extreme hot weather causing vegetation to dry out or as a result of human activity from carelessness or deliberate fire setting. Large wildfires in Dorset are rare but when they do occur they can be very serious and affect large areas of our countryside.
Impact
- Fire can be blown by strong winds towards people’s homes
- Dorset is home to a number of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
- Damage to electricity cables
Consequences
- People need to be evacuated from their homes to a safe place
- Damage to ecology / habitats / endangered species
- Contamination of your water supply
- Services for buses, trains and airports can be disrupted
- Loss of electricity or gas at home, interruptions in your water supply
- In some cases overhead electrical lines can be damaged
- Farmers crops can be destroyed or damaged by fire
- Businesses may have to stop trading whilst damage is repaired
What you can do
For further information on safety outdoors visit the following website:
