A MAJOR fire at a Weymouth nature reserve was averted thanks to prompt reporting and firefighters working quickly.

A reed bed “nearly went up in flames” at RSPB Lodmoor according to staff.

It is not known how the blaze started, although Dorset Police are not 
investigating.

Fire chiefs have issued advice about being fire safe in the countryside.

The Lodmoor reserve is home to a variety of bird species and has one of the largest common tern colonies in the south west.

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service was called to the nature 
reserve shortly after 8.30pm on Tuesday and a crew extinguished the reed fire using beaters.

In a social media post, the RSPB’s Luke Phillips said it was a ‘close call.’

“[The] reed bed nearly went up in flames but put out promptly by 
the pros,” he wrote. 

The fire service received a number of 999 calls about the incident.

Stuart Legg, the area commander for Dorset, said: “Happily, this fire was reported quite quickly and wasn’t able to spread. 

“However, we have had fires in the past that have affected large areas of the countryside. We would ask people to heed the following advice and help avoid such fires starting in the future.”

Advice from the fire service 
includes:

  • Avoid open fires in the countryside. If you must have a fire, make sure that you’re in a designated safe area
  • Put out cigarettes and other smoking materials properly before you leave your vehicle
  • Don't throw cigarette ends out of your vehicle. They could start a fire and destroy surrounding countryside.
  • Don’t leave bottles or glass in woodlands, as sunlight shining through the glass can cause a fire to start. Take the items home, or put them in a waste or recycling bin
  • If you see a fire in the countryside, report it immediately. Do not try to tackle a fire yourself; usually they can’t be put out with a bucket of water. Please call the fire service on 999 and leave the area as soon as possible
  • Ensure that you know your location or a landmark so you can direct the fire service to the scene

 

Major blaze 'nearly took hold' at national reserve

NATIONAL Trust rangers are asking the public to respect the countryside after an abandoned camp fire came within minutes of sparking a major blaze in a national nature reserve yesterday.

Rangers on duty at Studland Heath spotted smoke coming from a remote spot near Little Sea and discovered the remains of a camp fire which had spread to nearby heather and gorse.

Camp fires are not allowed in the national nature reserve and visitors who want to have a barbecue are asked to use designated areas on the beach.

Although it was quickly brought under control and damage was confined to a few square metres, the blaze was on the point of taking hold.

Had it done so it would quickly have spread, with potentially disastrous consequences for wildlife and a much loved beauty spot.

“It is only thanks to sheer luck and the vigilance of our rangers that this did not become a major incident which could have destroyed 30 or 40 hectares of heathland,” said Lead Ranger Paul Bradley.

He added: “Studland Heath is particularly vulnerable at this time of year as the resident reptiles are active and there are ground nesting birds about.

“Our heathland is precious and can take decades to recover from a major fire.

“Please be responsible, observe the regulations designed to protect the countryside and if you spot smoke dial 999 straight away.”

The incident took place within half a mile of an area which is still recovering from the last major heath fire in Studland four years ago and could have threatened cattle grazing nearby as part of the National Trust’s heathland conservation programme.