People 'flouting rules' despite grass fire risk

People are flouting rules against lighting fires in parks and open spaces while Bristol is at high risk of grassland fires, councillors have said.

At a full council meeting last week, city councillors warned wildfires "were no joke", but said people were ignoring their advice by lighting fires in places like the Downs and Blaise Castle Estate.

Nikki Rice, community safety manager at Avon Fire and Rescue Service, whose crews tackled a grassland fire in Shirehampton last week, said the risk of uncontrolled fires had grown increasingly due to recent dry and hot weather.

"The grass is very dry and even a small spark could cause devastation," she added.

In Bristol, there is a bylaw banning barbecues on the Downs, although this is sometimes flouted.

Councillor Stephen Williams accused people of not being in their "right minds" after he said a stone-enclosed campfire was erected, dismantled, and then put up again in the woods at Blaise Castle.

The fire service has asked members of the public to take extra care when spending time outdoors as the hot and dry weather persists.

It advised people to only use barbecues in designated areas and never place them directly on grass or woodland.

Like the Downs, Troopers Hill nature reserve in east Bristol is under the same bylaw banning barbecues, which came into force in 2017.

This followed a number of fires there, including two in 2013.

But volunteer William Barkley, from Friends of Troopers Hill, said some people still ignored the rules.

He said this was particularly dangerous because grass at the nature reserve was not cut due to ecological reasons.

"If a fire were to spread, with us being close to residences as well, it could pose a serious risk.

"It's very upsetting when you see people disrespecting the site through their own negligent behaviour.

"We all should have a role in protecting and preserving nature and wildlife, and these places which give us so much joy," he said.

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