Skip to main content

Summer Safety Warning – Be #WildfireReady

Date

With the recent prolonged dry weather, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (ESFRS) is reminding residents, visitors, and landowners to be #WildfireReady this summer.

As the school holidays begin, families are being urged to take simple precautions to reduce the chance of fires starting and spreading. ESFRS aims to educate communities and visitors about the importance of wildfire prevention and preparedness with our #WildfireReady campaign.

Station Manager Trevor Funnell, ESFRS Wildfire Lead said:

“With the ground and vegetation extremely dry, this can act as fuel, increasing the risk of wildfires and fires in the open. In these conditions, wildfires can spread quickly leading to damaged and destroyed areas of land and other property, including natural habitats and wildlife.

We want people to enjoy East Sussex's beautiful surroundings, so it’s crucial to take precautions and assess your home, business or land for risks. We want people to enjoy the summer but enjoy it safely. By working together we can help reduce the risk.”

We’re #WildfireReady, are you?

As part of our proactive #WildfireReady campaign, we’ve been working with local communities, organisations, and landowners to help prevent wildfires and protect lives, property, and the environment, including:

  • Wildfire Ready Leaflets – Containing vital wildfire safety advice, these leaflets are being distributed to areas including Ashdown Forest, at community engagement events and are available to local communities, groups, and organisations.

Visit Wildfire Ready | East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service to find out more.

  • Specialist Training and Advice – Earlier this year, some of our Officers undertook wildfire preparedness training, and we’ve created a short wildfire advice video from that session to share key safety messages with the public.
  • Social Media Campaign – We have been sharing crucial safety message throughout the hot weather period, including targeting specific risk areas of natural beauty such as West Dean and Birling Gap.

Please follow us on social media and share our #WildfireReady campaign to encourage others to be prepared over the Summer.

  • There is also a chance to win in our #PackAPicnic Competition!  Head to our social media pages to find out how you can win a picnic bag to help keep our green spaces safe!

Top #WildfireReady Safety Tips This Summer

Out and about:

  • Don’t drop cigarettes or burning materials on dry ground,
  • Keep lighters and matches away from children.
  • Use designated barbecue areas and dispose of glass bottles and litter properly.

At home:

  • Remove flammable materials from your garden.
  • Check for spaces where burning embers could become lodged.
  • Safely store flammable substances
  • Trim back shrubs or trees near your house.

What to do in the event of a wildfire: 

  • Stay calm, follow your evacuation plan.
  • Always call 999 in the event of an emergency.

Find out more on our safety pages at: Wildfires and Fires in the Open | East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service

Other useful links/information:

  • Graphic of a picnic basket on a green background with wording Leave the BBQ at home and pack a picnic instead! At the top there is a red strip with white wording We're Wildfire Ready...Are you? At the bottom right is East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service logo.
  • Wildfire Leaflet

Back to top