fires

Barbecues banned on Dartmoor to cut risk of wildfire

Dartmoor National Park Authority has today introduced a temporary ban on open fires and barbecues on all common land within the National Park. The ban has been introduced in response to the prolonged dry weather and the risk wildfires can pose to people and animals, as well as damage to property and the natural environment. People who plan to spend time in the National Park are urged to be...

Warning of fire risk on dry Dartmoor

Dartmoor National Park and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service have issued a warning for people not to light barbecues and campfires after an increase in wildfire incidents. Soaring temperatures and hot weather, which is set to continue in coming days, means the fire severity risk on Dartmoor is forecast as ‘high’. Anyone planning a trip to Dartmoor for some fresh air, a picnic or a...

Five thatch fires so far this year!

Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service remind owners of thatched properties to ensure their homes are safe from the risk of a fire. This advice comes due to the fact that the Fire Service has already attended five thatch fires this year.

Fire in thatch is not an inevitable occurrence but it is an organic material, subject to different behaviour patterns depending on its...

Thatch fire warning after Devon pub blaze

Firefighters have issued a warning to owners of thatched properties.

The warning comes following a fire which destroyed the Ring of Bells pub in North Bovey yesterday (Wednesday 13 January).

Ten fire engines attended the incident and fire crews worked throughout the night to extinguish the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby thatched properties. A crew is still at the...

Hay bales storage advice following barn fires

Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service has issued guidance about the storage of hay bales following three barn fires on Monday (5 October) morning.

At least one of the fires, in Tiverton, is believed to have started by the self-ignition of hay bales within the barn, while the other two, in Axminster and Combe Martin, are still under investigation.

The barn and 60 bales...