Northumberland County Council has issued a warning on the risks of wildfires as temperatures across the county increase. The council have said in the past 12 months, there have been around 120 fires relating to barbecues and campfires, as well as eight wildfires. As lockdown restrictions ease and the weather starts to improve, there are worries these numbers will increase if people don’t respect the Countryside Code and take care to put out cigarettes carefully and avoid lighting fires and barbeques. Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service Chief Fire Officer, Paul Hedley: “Human error is by far the biggest cause of wildfires. 2020 was a record year for wildfires despite the long period spent under a national lockdown. Wildfires are a big problem because they cause considerable damage to our wildlife, natural environment and local communities. It can take many years for an area to recover from a wildfire.
Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex
- Credit: PFCC
The newly re-elected Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, has outlined his plans for making Essex safer.
Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex Roger Hirst with Chief Constable of Essex Police, Ben-Julian Harrington and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive Jo Turton
- Credit: Essex Police
Roger Hirst said he would form a Police and Crime Plan and refresh the Fire and Rescue Plan. His goals include adding more police officers and targeting crime.
He said: “I will ensure that Essex Police sees more investment in its capability to prevent crime and so get crime down, and that Essex County Fire & Rescue is supported to protect people and prevent fires, flood hazards and road traffic collisions.