When the ground is extremely dry, grassland and parks will burn quickly when exposed to even the smallest of sparks.
Anything that is burning can start a grass fire. The most common offenders are cigarettes and barbecues.
Cigarettes dropped on dry grass that have not been properly extinguished are very likely to cause a grass fire.
Even cigarettes thrown from a car window can start a fire. Many roads are banked by or near to grassland, and these can be easily set on fire by a cigarette when dried out.
Disposable barbecues can cause fires when smouldering ash and embers are carried by the wind onto areas of dry grass.
Disposable barbecues that have been discarded and abandoned can still end up causing a fire as they will continue to retain heat after use – they need to be put right out and cooled before being thrown away.
It might sound strange, but glass left in the parks can start fires too. Left on or near dry grass, glass can magnify the sun and start a fire.
Grass fires can spread extremely fast so if you see dry grass smouldering, please call 999 and report it immediately so that firefighters can deal with it and stop it from spreading.