'No amount of signage and warnings can cure the stupid’: Council hits back after barbecue burns grass in popular Derbyshire park
A Derbyshire council has slammed park-goers for leaving behind a barbecue, which burnt grass in a local park amid increased fire risk.
Derbyshire Dales District Council shared photos showing a disposable barbecue and a burnt grass patch in Ashbourne Park after park-goers ignored wildfire risk warnings.
The burnt barbecue, which was discovered this morning (Tuesday, August 4), has been left behind on the grass, increasing the wildfire fire risk.
This comes after multiple appeals from Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service urging residents and visitors across Derbyshire not use portable barbecues or start campfires in green spaces due to high wildfire risk caused by a prolonged spell of dry and hot weather.
Derbyshire Dales District Council issued the following online appeal: “It would appear that no amount of signage, warnings from us and Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service, not to mention the recent 3-week wildfire in the north of the county can cure stupid.
“A reminder that barbecues are banned by us in all open spaces in here in the Dales, including our parks and gardens. Just one (not so bright) spark can cause mayhem in the current tinder dry conditions.
“Sadly we can't patrol all these spaces all of the time, so rely on the public's good sense.
"You can also help by reporting breaches via this form.”
The appeal comes just a day after Bolsover Fire Station crew was deployed to three incident within just over six hours yesterday (Monday, August 3) – with firefighters saying two of the incidents were preventable.
The fire station shared the following appeal to local residnets and visitors: "With the ground extremely dry, the risk of fires spreading rapidly is currently very high.
"We are urging members of the public to avoid lighting any type of fire outdoors until we've had some much-needed rainfall.
"Preventable fires also tie up valuable emergency service resources and crews, potentially taking them away from other incidents where they may be urgently needed.
“Please help us keep our countryside, homes and communities safe.”