Devastation at Studland Should Have Been Avoided

13th August 2022

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Following the major incident at Studland

Major incident declared at Studland

more fires have broken out in tinder dry conditions after a disposable barbecue was identified as the most likely cause of a big blaze at Studland in Dorset.

Ninety firefighters and ten fire engines – including some called in from neighbouring areas – were sent to the scene after the flames were reported at 1pm on Friday.

There was “evidence of a little camp where someone had used a disposable barbecue”, the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) said.

“We can’t say 100% that was the cause but when we find evidence we have to assume that’s the most likely cause,” a spokeswoman added.
“Fires don’t just start on their own.”

Firefighters worked through the night to bring the flames under control.

Dorset Police said on Saturday afternoon that an unexploded piece of ammunition believed to date from the the Second World War had been found on the scorched heathland.

A bomb disposal unit would be attending, the force added, with the public warned to expect a loud bang.
In the first 10 days of August, DWFRS said it had attended 180 wildfires.

In the same period last year it was 34.

Staff have “never had a year like this one – it is just unprecedented”, the spokeswoman said.

Below are images of Studland, the aftermath of the devastating fire. This is why BBQs are banned around heathlands, dunes and woodlands etc.

We have found evidence of a campfire and BBQ at the seat of the fire on #Studland and believe this to be the cause of the fire which started yesterday.

Please DO NOT have campfires, bonfires or use barbecues in the countryside. #BringAPicnicNotABBQ #Dorset #Wiltshire pic.twitter.com/3gd7bn9rTx
— Dorset&Wiltshire FRS (@DWFireRescue) August 13, 2022

Dorset is a no BBQ or fire county.

????Red fire severity alert for Dorset & Wiltshire????

For the last 44 days Studland has recorded 0mm of rain. Over that time, almost everyday someone has had a BBQ. Purbeck is surrounded by no BBQ’s or FIRE signs.

No matter where you go in public the restrictions are in place

Hence this devastation.

(Sam Cridland)

Yet people are still having BBQ’s and behaving extremely irresponsibly

Every time we behave like this, nature loses. We damage the environment in which we love. The home to specific creatures such as Nightjars and Dartford Warblers, the songs of Stonechat’s and crickets.