Nature reserve closes due to wildfire risk

A nature reserve has announced its "unprecedented" decision to close because of the risk of wildfire as temperatures rise.

Humberhead Peatlands, a national nature reserve near Doncaster with wetlands and peat bogs, said it would have to close to visitors on Thursday and Friday due to the "exceptional risk" of fire.

Reserve manager Julian Small said only once before had he known the Natural England site to be at the top level of the Met Office's Fire Severity Index.

Small said the closure was essential to protect nature as well as visitors.

Humberhead Peatlands is part of the largest lowland peat bogs complex in the UK, according to Natural England, and close to the M180 and Thorne and Hatfield Moors.

Small added: "The wildfire risk has just become so high, it's one of the measures we take to try and protect both this incredibly beautiful and important nature reserve."

The reserve has suffered fire incidents in the past, with several caused by the use of barbecues and cigarettes on dry ground.

"In July we did find a small area of smouldering peat, which we were able just to dampen down ourselves without needing to call the fire service," Small said.

"We think it was probably caused by a cigarette end dropped onto the bare peat, which has got quite dusty with the prolonged drought we've been having.

"If we hadn't found it in time, it could have led to a much more significant wildfire."

Small said despite signs all over the reserve, visitors needed to understand that England's wildfires are usually caused by people either accidentally or deliberately starting them.

"Wildfire doesn't happen naturally here. It's incredibly rare that it could be caused by lightning, for example, in the UK.

"We spend time working with South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and talking to our fantastic visitors about when wildfire risk is high, it's really important to follow the Countryside Code and if anyone spots smoke, the problem is sorted before it becomes a major incident."

Small said disposable barbecues were especially dangerous because the heat could set the underground peat alight without anyone noticing, so even if it is doused and removed, heat already generated could develop into "a really big incident".

Small said it was important the peatlands did not catch fire, as happened a year ago at Langdale Moor in North Yorkshire.

The wildfire spread through the North York Moors National Park and along the coast towards Whitby for 40 days, and was declared "devastating" for wildlife and the peat moorland as well as for people living and working nearby.

An investigation found that fire was started by someone cooking using a campfire or gas burner in the forest.

Small said the reserve may have to close again if the fire risk did not recede.

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