Wildfire Breaks Out at Lake District Beauty Spot Following Severe Alert
Fire crews have tackled a wildfire near Surprise View in Borrowdale, just hours after a severe government alert warned of an increased fire risk.
The blaze was reported at the popular Lake District viewpoint at around 10pm on Friday, August 14. Firefighters attended the scene, while local people are also understood to have helped bring the fire under control.
Later updates shared within local community groups said the fire had been extinguished. The size of the affected area has not yet been confirmed.
It is also not known how the fire started. However, the incident came amid growing concern about people lighting fires or using barbecues in dry countryside.
Warning Issued Hours Before Fire
At around 7pm on Friday, phones across England and Wales received an emergency alert warning of a serious national wildfire risk.
The alert urged residents, visitors and landowners to avoid any activity which could start a fire. This includes using disposable barbecues, campfires, fire pits, garden incinerators and fireworks.
People were also asked to call 999 immediately if they spotted a fire.
The Government has temporarily banned the sale of disposable barbecues while the risk remains high. The decision follows a series of major wildfires across England and Wales during the recent hot and dry weather.
Cumbria Fire Service Issues Safety Advice
Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service has warned that even a small outdoor fire can quickly spread to nearby grass, trees and woodland.
The service has first-hand experience of the damage wildfires can cause after Cumbrian crews were sent to support firefighters dealing with major incidents in South Wales.
People who already own disposable barbecues have been asked not to use them. Instead, visitors are encouraged to take a cold picnic or support a nearby café, pub or restaurant.
Other safety advice includes:
- Put cigarettes out fully and dispose of them safely.
- Take bottles, glass and other litter home.
- Do not park vehicles on dry grass, as hot exhaust systems can start fires.
- Avoid lighting campfires, even in places where the ground appears clear.
- Call 999 immediately if you see smoke or flames in the countryside.
Surprise View sits above Derwentwater, close to Ashness Bridge, and attracts large numbers of visitors. The surrounding woodland and steep terrain can make fires in the area difficult and dangerous to tackle.
With dry conditions continuing, visitors across Cumbria are being asked to take extra care and avoid any activity which could place local communities, wildlife or emergency crews at risk.
