Firefighters are warning that glass objects can ignite fires, following an incident where sunlight refracting through a garden table sparked a blaze that spread to four sheds across neighboring properties. Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) responded to the call on Gunthorpe Road in Gedling on Sunday afternoon.
A spokesperson for NFRS advised that glass items can concentrate the sun's rays onto flammable materials and recommended positioning outdoor furniture away from prolonged direct sunlight. This warning comes as the service reports a significant increase in deliberate outdoor fires across the county during the initial week of summer holidays.
Between July 20 and 26, NFRS attended 61 deliberate outdoor fires, a substantial rise from the 27 incidents recorded during the same period last year. Noteworthy hotspots include Bramcote, where five deliberate outdoor fires occurred within 24 hours, and Rayton Lane in Worksop, which saw four incidents over six days.
"These fires can spread quickly, particularly in the warm and dry conditions Nottinghamshire has recently experienced, and can threaten lives, homes, businesses, wildlife and the environment," an NFRS spokesperson stated. "They also place additional pressure on emergency services, diverting resources away from other emergencies where people may urgently need help."
The service noted a concerning rise in deliberate fires compared to last year, urging parents and caregivers to educate young people about the dangers. NFRS is collaborating with Nottinghamshire Police to prevent such incidents, employing resources like drones.
However, not all fires are started intentionally. Campfires or disposable barbecues, if not managed carefully, can easily spread, especially in dry grassland and woodland, posing risks to people, property, and wildlife. "We are asking everyone to think carefully about their actions and help us prevent these incidents from happening this summer," the service added.
This alert coincides with numerous large wildfires across the UK, prompting a nationwide high alert for "exceptionally severe" blazes. In Suffolk, a major incident was declared after a large, wind-driven fire erupted on Dunwich Heath, spreading to an area equivalent to 14 football pitches. Approximately 200 caravans were evacuated as firefighters worked to protect seaside holiday homes. Around 48 people took shelter at a village hall after being evacuated from their residences.
In East London, firefighters tackled two large grass fires, destroying about 30 acres of grassland in Romford and damaging ten acres in Rainham. These incidents are part of a broader trend, with over 200 wildfires recorded across the UK in the past two weeks, affecting areas like the Scottish Highlands, South Wales, and crop fields in Essex.
Britain is experiencing a significant drought, with nearly half of England officially in drought conditions. Some regions have not seen rain in 43 days, and temperatures have reached as high as 34C. Analysis suggests the UK is on track for a record number of heatwave-associated deaths, with thousands already linked to recent heatwaves in May and June.
Fire services have responded to 706 wildfires in England and Wales so far this year. Eight wildfires remain under observation, and fire chiefs caution that the risk of further ignitions is elevated. In Scotland, crews are making progress on a wildfire in the Cairngorms that began two weeks prior, which led to the evacuation of several homes.
The Environment Agency has designated East Anglia, Hertfordshire, London, Thames Valley, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Devon and Cornwall, the West Midlands, and Wessex as drought-affected areas.