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30
Jul
Concern over spate of deliberate fires in Harrogate’s Pinewoods
Concern has been raised after a spate of deliberate fires in Harrogate’s Pinewoods.
Lyndon Wallace, who sits on the committee of Pinewoods Conservation Group, said firefighters had been called to tackle small fires in the woods on three separate occasions in the last two weeks.
Crews from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to the latest fire at 7am on Monday morning (July 27).
Mr Wallace said the matter was becoming a regular and serious occurrence, particularly as the wildfires spreading through Europe at the moment highlighted the dangers.
He said:
This is not scaremongering, every year it is a very real threat. I see evidence of far too many small fires in the Pinewoods on a regular basis. The fire service who have been excellent and always very quick to attend, have attended three small fires in the Pinewoods over the last two weeks.
Mr Wallace added that a public space protection order should be put in place in the Pinewoods to help deter fires and other anti-social behaviour.
Damage caused by the fires in the Pinewoods.
Robin Pulpett, station manager at Harrogate Fire Station, said attending such fires diverted resources away from other emergencies.
He said:
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service have recently responded to several deliberate fires in the Pinewood area of Harrogate. Whilst most of these fires have been small and seemingly harmless, fire can spread very quickly with potentially devastating consequences.
Whilst we are responding to these incidents we are diverted away from other emergencies within our community.
We encourage people to always report acts of deliberate fire-setting in your community. If there is an immediate risk to life or property, call 999. For non-emergencies, contact North Yorkshire Police on 101.
NYFRS is also encouraging people to use FireStoppers if they have information about deliberate fire-setting but do not want to speak directly to the emergency services.
The move comes after road signs warning of the risk of wildfires are being introduced in Nidderdale.
North Yorkshire Council said on Wednesday (July 29) the signs will be installed as part of a Don't Spark Disaster campaign this summer.
It follows reports of campfires and disposable barbecues being lit in wooded and moorland areas posing a serious risk to the environment.
Media attention is currently focused on wildfires in Spain and France but the North York Moors National Park suffered its biggest ever fire last year on Fylingdales Moor.
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