'Fires in the open will be more prevalent earlier in the year' warns senior Shropshire fire officer after spate of blazes

The Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has seen a spate of open fires throughout March and April so far - where the weather has been mostly dry and warm - and the service's incident log has been littered with incidents involving fires in the open across the county - large and small.

Crews have been called to several incidents in Shropshire's Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty including at the Long Mynd, as well as smaller grass fires and fires involving trees.

In its Community Risk Management Plan for 2025 to 2028, the fire service has outlined responding to the climate impact and environment as a priority with severe flooding becoming more common in the winter months as well as open fires in the drier periods.

Mr Millward, head of service delivery at the Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, said he has noticed an increase in open fires.

He said: "The evidence is out there to suggest that climate change is having an impact and we have certainly referenced that in our new community risk management plan that we are seeing some extreme weather events whether that be flooding or longer, drier and hotter spells. We are also seeing it out of season as well.

"Traditionally when we wouldn't have expected to have the number of open fires that we are having, it is now becoming more frequent. I would suggest that the trend is more towards fires in the open will be more prevalent earlier in the year.

"We are a rural county so as beautiful as it is, it does come with its risks as well, especially when the weather is so dry. It provides challenges for us as an emergency service. What we don't want to do is prevent people from enjoying themselves and the beautiful Shropshire countryside, but we just ask people to be mindful of their impact, what it has on the environment and the wildlife within it, but also the increased risk of fires and impact that has on us as an emergency service.

"Usually fires in the open, if they get to a point where the fire service is being called it is because it has become uncontrollable. Quite often they are then over a wide-scale area and it takes a lot of resources for us to bring that fire under control.

"As one of the country's smallest fire brigades, every resource is precious to us. Every engine we have available is vital, so if we are taking multiple fire engines out to one particular area to go to some of the more rural locations to deal with the fires in the open it does leave other communities at risk as well. We have invested heavily over the last few years in technology and we now have drone capability which was used at the weekend for the woodland fire. So we were able to get a sense of the scale of that fire and look for opportunities of where we could get ahead of it and put a suitable break into the landscape.

"It has presented new challenges to us so one of the things we have to consider is how do we adapt what we are doing as an organisation and where do we need to invest in terms of equipment and technology to ensure that when the public do call on us, we can engage with some of these new and emerging risks."

In its Community Risk Management Plan, the fire service outlined: "During hot weather multiple fires in the open happening at the same time reduces our capacity to respond to other emergencies."

On April 8, six fire crews including the incident support unit worked for hours to tackle a large blaze involving grass and gorse off Bromlow near Worthen.

Meanwhile, three days later, crews responded an open fire in Upper Farmcote in Claverley near Bridgnorth.

Then last Saturday multiple crews battled a blaze involving 2.5 hectares of pine trees, brash and gorse at Birchen Park near Cleobury Mortimer.

Specialist incident command and support units were mobilised as well as operations and safety officers, and crews from Ludlow, Cleobury Mortimer and Telford battled the blaze for more than three hours. 

Firefighters utilised a drone to check for hotspots and make the scene safe and reminded residents to "stay wildlife aware" with hot and dry conditions continuing.

Mr Millward, who has been with the county's fire service since 2003, said the fire service is always looking at ways to tackle new challenges presented.

"The new community risk management plan makes specific reference to how the climate is changing and how we are adapting to make sure we understand those challenges and are prepared to deal with them to maintain public safety," he continued.

"It is about working with the public to help them understand what the risks are. Residents should understand the local guidance on open fires and barbeques. In some areas these are prohibited so we ask people to stick to that guidance. Some areas do offer bespoke facilities for barbeques which are meant for use in a safe environment.

"We would always advise people to be mindful of their impact. If you are going to use an open fire or a disposable BBQ then be mindful about not discarding matches, cigarettes or leaving glass bottles. Anything you take with you, make sure you take it home with you.

"In recent years we have been able to attribute some open fires to the magnifying effect that the sun has through a glass bottle which had been discarded."

The Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service's Community Risk Management Plan can be read here. 

Advice on open fires and wood-burning stoves can be read here.