Fire safety outdoors - the countryside

Every year, fire destroys thousands of acres of countryside and wildlife habitats. Some fires are started deliberately, but most are due to carelessness. A few simple precautions can prevent them.

How to reduce the risk of wildfires

Follow these tips to reduce the risks of wildfires in the countryside:

• extinguish cigarettes and other smoking materials properly
• never throw cigarette ends out of car windows – they can ruin whole fields of crops
• don’t leave bottles or glass in woodlands – sunlight shining through glass can start fires - take them home or put them in a waste or recycling bin
• only use barbecues in a suitable and safe area and never leave them unattended – follow the link below for more details on safe barbecuing
• avoid using open fires in the countryside
• if you see a fire in the countryside, report it immediately
• don’t attempt to tackle fires that can’t be put out with a bucket of water – leave the area as quickly as possible, and preferably move downhill (a fire will spread more quickly uphill)

If you're camping in the countryside, follow the link below for advice on how to prevent fires:

• Fire safety outdoors - barbecues and camping  

Permission for outdoor fires

A fire in the open can easily get out of control. You should always check with the landowner first whether fires and barbecues are permitted on their land, and only have them in safe, designated areas. Children should always be kept away from any open fire.

More useful links

• Forests
• Parks and green spaces