Important message from the Langdyke Trust board
With the dry and extreme hot weather set to continue for the next week or so, we would like to ask you to be vigilant if you are visiting any of our nature reserves and any other wildlife sites.
In recent days there has been a small fire near one of our nature reserve at Etton, which thankfully was spotted and contained by the fire service.
This was a close calls and only with vigilance was a more serious event was averted.
As a result of the prolonged very warm and dry summer, many of our nature reserves are now very dry and there is a wildfire risk in all areas.
The fire service advises following these tips to reduce the chance of a wildfire:
Avoid open fires in the countryside.
- Always have them in safe, designated areas.
- Put out cigarettes and other smoking materials properly before you leave your vehicle. You can get fireproof pouches designed for cigarette butts. Do not throw your butts on the ground, they can start fires and endanger wildlife.
- Don’t leave bottles or glass in woodlands. Sunlight shining through glass can start a fire. Take them home or put them in a waste or recycling bin.
- If you see a fire in the countryside, report it immediately (by dialling 999.
Did you know in the UK, 79,000 fires are started on grass and heathlands every year. This is an average of 216 a day.
Let’s be vigilant together and hope that one of our precious reserves doesn’t fall into that statistic.
Remember, to keep hydrated if you are visiting a reserve and let someone know where you are going if you are visiting alone.
Thank you for all your support