Park steps up fire safety measures amid dry summer

Fire safety measures have been stepped up at a national park during what a ranger says has been its driest summer in 25 years.

It comes at a time when there is more grass, gorse bushes and other plant vegetation on Exmoor National Park due to a reduction in livestock grazing and less controlled winter burning, known as swaling.

Authorities have urged people to be careful when disposing of cigarette butts and glass, have put up signs warning not to light fires, barbecues or camping stoves, and reminded drivers to take care to not park near grassy verges.

Park ranger Tim Parish said rising temperatures meant being prepared for fires in the long-term was now more important than ever.

Parish said that this year is the driest summer he has seen at the park in 25 years.

"By 2050 this sort of summer is going to be 50% more likely," Parish added.

"So, this is one of our futures coming round the corner. We do need to be preparing for it."

Landowners, Exmoor National Park Authority and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service are behind long-term fire prevention plans for park users and farmers.

Watch manager Ian Donovan said plans are being made to build fire breaks - the same safety measures used on the Quantocks.

"But, it can only be done during the winter months when the birds aren't nesting," Donovan said.

"In some areas of the National Trust and Exmoor National Park, they've introduced livestock back in to graze which is reducing the fire load."

Simon David, a farmer in Porlock, has been moving his Longhorn cattle out of shady gorse bushes and into a secure field overnight in case a gorse fire starts.

He also has a water bowser ready for emergencies.

"I've got a big tanker that's got a hose. It sprays water out in a 30ft fan," he said.

"You drive along and soak this ground to stop it burning."

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