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Heath and Woodland Fires in Hampshire

Important

Never be afraid to call the Fire and Rescue Service

All 999 calls are free (including mobile calls)

What is a heath or woodland fire?

Any fire involving grass, bushes, trees, gorse, undergrowth and farm crops. This type of fire is particularly common in areas of countryside such as The New Forest, and some of the large parks in forest areas in the north of the county, but will also occur in city parks and common areas. We also receive many calls to areas of railway embankment.

What are the main causes of these fires?

Generally, these fires are caused by people either unintentionally or wilfully setting fire to elements of the countryside. This may be due to carelessly discarded cigarettes or smoking materials, uncontrolled bonfires and barbecues or children deliberately setting fires during the school holidays, etc. Electric arcing from the large areas of railway network is also a common cause. Everyone can help by taking extra care during the dry summer months.

forest fire

What should you do if you discover a fire in the countryside?

If you should discover a fire, dial 999.

To assist fire crews in finding the fire:

How many of this type of fire has Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service tackled?

Month 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001
January 10 23 41 27 40 24 29 34
February 57 32 68 72 114 69 44 44
March 73 139 155 153 141 267 158 31
April 102 446 271 136 229 647 409 134
May 144 217 137 212 221 233 139 329
June 137 117 318 269 341 282 123 542
July 143 52 518 282 266 340 194 446
August 68 96 444 191 201 726 184 191
September   140 190 148 149 740 336 213
October   53 43 80 26 608 151 48
November   59 57 46 39 65 16 87
December   15 17 29 24 38 11 78

What vehicles do the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service use to tackle rural fires?

After a 999 call has been received the nearest fire engine (a water tender or water tender ladder) will be mobilised. Depending on circumstances a 4 wheel drive L4T, L4P or H4T will also be mobilised. Should the fire develop and additional resources be required, further fire engines or specialist appliances will be sent. These may include light 4 wheel drive vehicles with hosereel and water tank of 545 litres (120 gallon) capacity (L4T and L4P) based on Landrovers, heavy 4 wheel drive vehicle with hosereel and water tank of 1000 litres (225 gallons) capacity (H4T) , 4 wheel drive Multi Role Vehicle (MRV) or Water Carriers (WrC) with tank capacities of either 11000 litres (2400 gallons) or 8000 litres (1760 gallons). The MRV when fitted with its forest fire load has a tank containing 2700 litres (600 gallons).

Note: Water capacity figures rounded. Older Landrovers carry less water.

What equipment does Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service use?  

What are the effects of heath and woodland fires?

small grass fire

The effects of fires in the countryside can be wide ranging and very serious with large areas of the countryside being affected. Large fires can draw on firefighting resources from across the county reducing the availability of resources for property fires, road traffic accidents and other life threatening incidents. Wildlife is particularly vulnerable to the effects of fire and smoke and natural habitats that have taken years to become established can be devastated in a matter of hours. Crops on farmland can be quickly destroyed and affect associated farm buildings. Other environmental impacts include large volumes of smoke, polluting the atmosphere and the disruption of natural water supplies and associated plant or pond life when water is taken for firefighting. Leisure activities such as camping and caravanning by their very nature can easily be threatened by an advancing fire.

These fires are serious, people can be killed or injured exactly as can happen on fires involving property. The speed at which a fire can travel through gorse and dry undergrowth can be staggering, creating its own wind path as the blaze escalates.