Fire Operations Group
Accidental fires can destroy habitats and erode the landscape.
The Fire Operations Group was formed in 1996 after a serious moorland blaze. It brings together a partnership of six fire services, National Park rangers, National Trust wardens, water companies, major landowners and gamekeepers to draw up fire plans, oversee specialist fire-fighting equipment, raise awareness of moorland fires and the consequences and train for emergencies.
The Fire Operations Group:
- carries out regular training exercises
- monitors conditions on the ground in dry weather
- setting up fire watches when necessary to give early notice of any moorland fires.
- publicises the risk of moorland fires by posters at moorland access points to advise and inform the public.
Occasionally access to moorland is suspended due to the high risk of fires and this is determined by the Fire Severity Index which is compiled by the Met Office and managed by Natural England.
For more information on the fire severity index please visit www.openaccess.gov.uk.
Preventing and fighting wild moorland fires