With the current heatwave predicted to last, there is an increased risk of wild fires such as the ones seen in Marlow, Winter Hill and Saddleworth Moor. The NFU has issued some new advice on the key things to be aware of.
Wildfires
If you discover a wild fire on open land, advice from the emergency services is:
- Get to a safe place. Wildfires can move quickly and in unpredictable ways.
- Go further away than you think necessary and put a natural fire break between you and the fire if possible.
- Note your location and call 999 asking for fire and rescue.
- Follow instructions from fire and rescue.
Risk assessments
All farms are required to carry out a fire risk assessment. If you employ five or more people there is a requirement to record significant findings.
Farm buildings
Reduce risk to farm buildings by:
- Storing petrol, diesel and fertiliser securely.
- Controlling refuse and disposing of it safely.
- Making buildings, outhouses and land as secure as possible. Consider fitting alarms and CCTV if possible. If equipment is already fitted make sure that it is well maintained and in working order.
- Prepare a plan of your farm clearly showing where dangerous materials are stored to help the emergency services in the event of a fire.
If a fire does break out:
- Call the fire and rescue service without delay.
- If possible, send someone to the farm entrance to direct the fire and rescue service to the fire to help save time.
- Prepare to evacuate livestock should the fire spread.
- Prepare to use farm machinery to assist the fire and rescue service.