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Britain’s national parks have warned of a “catastrophic” risk from wildfires this Easter after one of the driest early spring seasons on record.
Park rangers from the South Downs to the Highlands said the prolonged warm weather and breezy conditions had left large areas extremely dry despite recent rain.
A number of national parks have advised day-trippers about the dangers of lighting barbecues and dropping cigarettes after one of the worst fire seasons on record.
Ben Jackson, who leads rangers in part of the North York Moors national park, said the recent climate had created the ideal conditions for a wildfire that “could be catastrophic for our wildlife and habitats, not to mention a serious danger to people”.
Swathes of the UK had one of the driest Marches in decades, and April temperatures have so far been warmer than average.
The conditions have led to more than double the number of wildfires in England and Wales than in the same period in 2022, which went on to be a record year for moorland blazes, according to the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC).
An NFCC spokesperson said on Friday: “Most wildfires are sparked by human actions, often accidental and sometimes deliberate. One careless moment can cause a significant wildfire and have devastating consequences.
“As people head outdoors this Easter, we urge everyone to help prevent wildfires by not using disposable barbecues, not dropping cigarettes or glass bottles that could ignite dry vegetation, and by respecting nature.”
Tom Hind, at the Peak District National Park Authority, said the risk of wildfires this weekend was “extremely high” despite the recent rain.
Charities said weeks of wildfires had “decimated” whole ecosystems and put endangered species at risk. Vast areas of habitat for small mammals and birds – including butterflies, beetles and falcons – had been damaged, they said, adding that some peat bogs could take hundreds of years to recover.
In the Peak District, rangers said on Friday that “one careless day out can mean years repairing the damage” done to the environment by a stray spark.
Park bosses in the Cairngorms, in the Highlands, plan to make it a criminal offence to light or maintain a fire between 1 April and 30 September. The bylaw will come into effect next year, if approved by the Scottish government.
Steve Tatlock, a team leader at the Lake District National Park Authority, said: “Wildfires have the potential to devastate the Lake District landscape, kill animals and ruin habitats. Easter is always a busy period for the region and the majority of people who enjoy the Lake District treat it respectfully. We want everyone to appreciate their time in the national park but also to be aware of the potential fire risk.
“Despite a little rain this week, the recent long spell of warm dry weather has still left vegetation particularly dry and campfires, discarded cigarettes and smouldering barbecues all risk starting a wildfire with devastating consequences.”
