Increase in outdoor fires due to hot weather, says fire service

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue service said its crews had seen an increase in outdoor fires this year in comparison with previous years.

The service said by early June this year its crews had tackled about three times the number of outdoor fires compared with the same point in 2024.

It warned if the trend continued, it could be a “very demanding summer” for its teams.

People are being asked to take litter home with them – to “leave no trace” – to prevent further fires.

Group commander for Exeter Ben Williams said the service wants to encourage people to get outside and enjoy the sunshine but do so safely.

“We are asking people to picnic rather than barbecues, no camping fires and take your litter home,” he said.

“We are asking people to leave no trace behind you and absolutely don’t leave a fire behind.”

With the amber heat health warning for the weekend, Mr Williams said there was an “element of elevated risk” if a fire was to occur because there was a larger risk for the firefighters in the high temperatures.

“For everyone’s benefit, we are just asking people to take a little more care when they are out and together,” added Mr Williams.

Firefighters tackled a barley field fire in Kennford, Devon, on Wednesday.

It consumed the entire field of 25 acres, said Mr Williams.

He added that the fire service had identified two major risk factors that come with the increase in warmer and drier summers – wildfires and flooding, both of which would continue to challenge the service now and in the future.

“We will continue to adapt to deal with those new challenges,” he said.