A collection of private landowners, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue staff and representatives of the National Parks, amongst others, have joined forces in creating the North Yorkshire Wildfire Group. Incidences of damaging wildfires look likely to increase in the county and country as a whole, with the effects of climate change, increased access to the countryside and changes in land use and management practices all playing a part. Therefore a conscientious and coordinated response is needed to mitigate the potentially serious results of this increase.
The Group’s key objectives are to reduce the incidents of wildfire, improve the quality of current burning practices and minimise the impacts of wildfires when they do occur, particularly moorland and forest fires. Alongside the provision of training and promotion of best practice, the main element of the Group’s activities is to encourage the creation of fire plans which are crucial in coordinating the response effort to a wildfire incident.
Rural Development Initiatives, through Yorwoods, provides a secretariat role to the Group and are also able to assist with the formulation of fire plans, organise training, identify and coordinate the provision of fire-fighting equipment and resources within local areas and promote the issue of wildfires to both other landowners and the public.
If you would like to know more about becoming involved with the work of the North Yorkshire Wildfire Group, or would like assistance creating a fire plan for your land, please get in touch with Ben Scotting via email or on 01765 609355.
