Fire risk on North York Moors - blazes 'can spread very quickly and cause huge damage'

Low rainfall, coupled with very dry ground vegetation such as heather and bracken, has forced the North York Moors National Park Authority to announce a fire alert.

Even if rain is forecast in the coming days, it will likely not be heavy or sustained enough to make a difference to conditions on the moors.

Fire risk warning signs will be displayed at key sites advising people what they can do to help to reduce the risk.

The signs will remain in place until the fire risk passes.

Senior Ranger, Bernie McLinden, said: “Past experience has shown us that under these types of conditions, moorland fires can spread extremely quickly causing significant damage to the landscape and its wildlife.

“Please do enjoy the North York Moors, but do not light fires or barbecues and do not discard cigarettes, matches or glass bottles, including throwing cigarette ends out of car windows.”

If people see a fire, they should report it quickly to the fire service by dialling 999.

The controlled heather burning period for gamekeepers has now ended, so any fire spotted will be a wildfire and should be reported.