Shropshire firefighters in warning over controlled fires
People are being urged to notify the fire service of controlled burnings in Shropshire – after crews were once again called out to a false alarm.
It comes after Market Drayton firefighters were called to a blaze at Longford Road, Tern Hill, which turned out to be a controlled burn in the open of wood and tree cuttings.
Crews have also been called out to reports of a tree fire at Rosehill, Stoke Heath, and a fire near the Four Crosses Inn, Hinstock, which turned out to be controlled burns earlier this year.
A spokesman for Market Drayton firefighters said: “At 7.15pm on Sunday the rescue pump and incident support unit from Market Drayton were mobilised to reports of a large fire in the open at Longford Road, Tern Hill.
“On arrival it was established that this was a controlled burn of wood and tree cuttings.
“This controlled burning had not been reported to our fire control, which would have prevented an unwanted call out.
“Please if you are going to carry out a controlled burn, can we ask that you notify our fire control in Shrewsbury, on 01743 260290 prior to doing so.”
Earlier this year it emerged Shropshire firefighters are being called to about a dozen controlled burns each month – costing the service as much as £40,000 a year.
It came after crews attended four in just over 24 hours.
Speaking at the time, Malcolm Stevenson, spokesman for the service, said crews were on average being called to more than 12 a month – with the service having been called to 13 already in April alone.
With a single attendance costing about £280, the cost of attending controlled burns totals around £3,360 a month – or £40,320 a year.
He said: The figures haven’t significantly changed over the last year. It is something fairly consistent but the better the weather the more controlled burns there are, but of course there is an increased likelihood of them getting out of control.
“We have to respond, and we do respond to everything. “The best advice is obviously let us know that you are intending to have a controlled burn. “We need to know where it is, what it is and when you are doing it, but more importantly when it is finished.”
“The way to do that is to call us and speak to us here.”
