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Islanders urged to help prevent wildfires

Chloe Parkman
BBC News
States of Jersey Fire and Rescue Service Aerial view of wildfire at Bonne Nuit in 2018. A fire engine is parked in a car park next to the open land which had been damaged by the flames. Firefighters are standing on the edge of the land, next to the water, using a hose reel jet to spray water over the area. States of Jersey Fire and Rescue Service
The fire service said prevention was key

Islanders have been urged to avoid using barbecues in open wooded areas to help reduce the risk of wildfires in Jersey.

Jersey Fire and Rescue Service said the current risk of a major wildfire was "low", but warned dry and windy conditions could lead to a fire "growing rapidly into an incredibly significant blaze".

Station commander Mark Bailey-Walker said: "We have lots of patches of gorse around Jersey which means these areas are especially at risk. Prevention is key and we are asking everyone to play their part."

The service has asked islanders to avoid open flames, bonfires and discarding cigarette ends on the ground.

States of Jersey Fire and Rescue Service Aerial shot of a wildfire at Bonne Nuit. Smoke is billowing off the open area which has been damaged in the blaze. Water is surrounding the edge of the island. States of Jersey Fire and Rescue Service
The current risk of a wildfire on the island is low

It also warned against leaving a fire or barbecue unattended and to avoid leaving bottles of glass in the countryside, adding "sunlight on glass can start fires".

Mr Bailey-Walker added: "Even when the likelihood of a major incident is low, the impact on our natural environment, wildlife and public safety can be significant."

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