Prolonged dry periods and continuing hot weather increase the risk of fire – particularly wild fires and field fires which if they are not quickly controlled can threaten nearby properties. There have already been a number of wildfires and field fires this summer and there are several areas in Windsor and Maidenhead where houses border woods and fields that could be at risk. We have put together the following advice (in collaboration with Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue) on what to do in the event of a fire, how to prevent fires starting and considerations for those in potentially at risk locations around emergency planning. 

What to do if you are aware of a fire:

Do not try and tackle the fire yourself

Call 999 and request the Fire Service

Give an accurate location of the fire, for example

• Name of the nearest road
• Access points
• Visible land marks (pubs, farms, power lines, etc)
• Locally known names
• Map grid references (Ordinance Survey ideally or an A to Z)

Move to a safe area and contact the local land manager if possible

If the fire is in a remote area, please meet emergency services at the access point so that you can guide them to the location

Help prevent fires starting:

DON’T

Discard cigarettes irresponsibly – make sure they are fully stubbed out and disposed of in a bin or other container

Have BBQs in unauthorised areas and never leave a BBQ unattended

Use disposable barbecues at all during prolonged dry spells/drought

Start camp fires out in the countryside

Discard rubbish – particularly reflective materials

Burn off garden rubbish during hot periods or if you live close to woodland or heathland

Have bonfires on hot days or during prolonged periods of dry weather

Left off fireworks during prolonged periods of dry weather or if drought is declared

Release sky lanterns (sometimes called Chinese lanterns)

DO

Clear up rubbish you see – particularly things like glass bottles, anything with a mirrored surface or anything that might ignite with enough heat – eg discarded vapes. If glass is broken only clear it if you have equipment (such as a dustpan and brush) that will enable you to do so safely.

Help to prevent fires by sweeping up after your rubbish collection has been and gone – you only need to do your little bit.

Damp down compost heaps and compost bins (these generate heat in the centre which can spontaneously burst into fire) – dampening these down also prevents them becoming home to rats.

Be prepared for an emergency

If you live near a potential wild fire area – ie bordering farm land, woodland or one of the open areas of grassland (such as Pinkney’s Green, Town Moor, North Town Moor, etc) consider making preparations in case an emergency evacuation is called for.

If you are evacuated due to a rapidly spreading fire you may need to move fast…

Help yourself/your family:

Consider making a grab bag with essentials in it such as:

• Essential documents – including details of your insurance policies.
• essential/prescribed medication, plus asthma and respiratory aids
• hearing aids
• glasses/contact lenses
• useful phone numbers
• mobile phone and charger
• house and car keys
• money and credit cards
• first aid kit
• basic toiletries (for example: toothbrush and toothpaste, sanitary towels)

(you can find more advice on grab bags here: https://www.westberks.gov.uk/article/40632/Creating-an-Emergency-grab-bag)

You may not find it inconvenient to have these things in a bag for a long period of time – in which case make a checklist and know where the things you need are – so you can handily grab them.

If you have pets make sure you have pet carriers etc to hand and ready to go.

Help your neighbours – if you are aware of neighbours who may be less able to prepare and may struggle with an emergency evacuation – consider helping them out – either by putting together a grab bag, a grab bag checklist or helping them to evacuate when the time comes.

Be aware that where some of the neighbours who need help might be obvious – eg frail/elderly – others may only be temporarily struggling – eg they have broken a limb, one half of a parenting couple is away and the single parent left with struggle with the number of children/pets etc, or may have invisible disabilities.

Consider having an emergency social media group to help coordinate help should it be needed – eg on WhatsApp or Facebook.