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Jun 2020

Last Updated: 19/06/2020

Nidderdale

Brimham Rocks visitors urged not to light BBQs

by Thomas Barrett

| 19 Jun, 2020

Throughout lockdown rangers have found evidence of BBQs on an almost daily basis and want to prevent the repeat of a damaging fire there two years ago

The poem's name, Balancing Act, reflects the sometimes conflicting roles the National Trust plays in both protecting and sharing Brimham Rocks.

Visitors to Brimham Rocks are being urged not to light BBQs over the weekend as they pose a fire risk to its rare moorlands.

The National Trust, who owns Brimham Rocks, issued the warning as temperatures are expected to hit 25 degrees on Saturday.

In May 2018, firefighters were called to the 400-acre site after a disposable BBQ started a fire which damaged around 8,700 square metres of moorland.

Brimham Rocks is home to three rare species of heather including ling, bell and cross-leaved heath. These plants have helped give Brimham its site of special scientific interest (SSSI) status.

Brimham Rocks park ranger Catherine Barber told the Stray Ferret that even though it has been wet this week, ling heather is still particularly flammable so if there's a fire and the wind changes they could "lose the whole lot".

She added that during the height of lockdown in March and April she found discarded BBQs nearly every day at the site.

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Ben McCarthy, head of nature conservation for the National Trust added:

"Many areas of land are still very dry and all it takes is a single spark from a barbecue or a dropped cigarette to cause a serious fire.”

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service also released a statement to the Stray Ferret warning the public about the dangers of lighting BBQs on dry grass.

They said:

"With the warm weather returning at the weekend North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is reminding people to take care if they’re visiting the countryside or local parks and open spaces.

Please:

Don't leave rubbish lying around, sunlight shining through glass can start fires, and rubbish can harm local wildlife

Don't have BBQs or camp fires on grass or moorland

Don't block access for emergency vehicles."

Meanwhile in Harrogate, images have been posted across social media this week of discarded litter as people enjoyed the recent spell of warm weather.

BBQs are prohibited on the Stray and culprits could be subject to a fixed penalty notice from the council.

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Brimham Rocks visitors urged not to light BBQs

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