The sun may have gone behind the clouds but the risk of devastating wildfires is still very high, BBOWT's land management director has warned.

Weeks of hot weather, including record-breaking temperatures in the UK, have combined with low rainfall to leave heathland, moorlands and grasslands ‘tinder dry’, and liable to catch fire from the tiniest hot ember or spark.

The Trust, which manages more than 80 nature reserves covering 2,670 hectares, has issued a warning after numerous fires across the three counties in recent weeks.

The soaring temperatures are a reminder that extreme weather events such as heatwaves are expected to increase because of climate change.

The charity now is urging people not start fires in any wild places, including its own reserves, and to 'pack a picnic not a barbecue'.

Land Management Director Steve Proud said:
"We are in a climate and nature emergency. Our landscapes are under more pressure than ever before as temperatures rise and changing weather patterns mean they are more susceptible to wildfires. A barbecue or stray cigarette may set light to a much-loved beauty spot leading to destruction that takes decades to repair.

“Too often a care-free day out can turn into tragedy when wildlife and precious habitat are devastated by wildfires caused by careless behaviour. We want everyone to enjoy our wonderful wild places – please join us in taking care of them and acting responsibly.”

In Berkshire last week, fire crews raced to tackle a blaze in an open area at Sulham Woods near Reading. Firefighters in Oxfordshire closed part of the A420 in Oxfordshire during a major field fire earlier in the month, and crews from all three counties raced to a blaze in Milton Keynes last Tuesday (July 19) which saw 39 buildings evacuated.

In many cases, fires pose a huge risk to human health and safety, but in wild areas such as nature reserves they threaten rare species and habitats which could be irrevocably damaged.

Lapwings, curlews, snipe and sundew plants were feared to have been caught in fires at two Lancashire Wildlife Trust reserves recently – and vital equipment used to help nature restoration was also damaged. A blaze at Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s Potteric Carr nature reserve burnt just over 6 acres of reedbed with nesting ducks and chicks.

A huge wildfire at Dorset’s largest lowland heath, Canford Heath, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, killed ground nesting birds, lizards and smooth snakes. In Teeside a moorland fire affected birds and deer; in Northumberland fire crews had to use water from a nearby lough to put out a forest blaze.

With all these cases in mind, BBOWT is asking all visitors to the countryside to:

· Pack a picnic, not a barbecue
· Only light barbecues or campfires in authorised locations where there are fire extinguishers available
· Extinguish cigarettes or matches and never throw them onto the ground
· Take litter home: bottles can magnify the sun’s rays and cans can reflect the light, both causing hotspots which can start fires
· If you spot smoke, or flames, make sure you’re safe and dial 999 immediately

The warning also comes during Heath Week, when BBOWT and other organisations in the Thames Basin Heaths Partnership celebrate local heathlands such as the Trust’s own Wildmoor Heath in Berkshire.

The week features numerous family events aimed at educating people about these fragile habitats which are particularly vulnerable to fires. Find out more at tbhpartnership.org.uk/heath-week