Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service is urging residents to take extra care outdoors after the number of fires in grassland, woodland and other open spaces across the county more than doubled compared to July last year.

Firefighters attended 252 outdoor fires during July 2026, compared to 115 in July 2025, an increase of almost 120 per cent, with many incidents linked to preventable causes.

The Service has attended fires believed to have been caused by discarded smoking materials, disposable barbecues and other careless behaviour. There is also concern about a rise in deliberately started fires, which can put communities, property, wildlife and the environment at risk.

Area Manager Matt Barlow, Head of Service Delivery at Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Many of the outdoor fires our firefighters attend are preventable.

"It only takes a discarded cigarette end, a disposable barbecue or a moment of poor decision-making for a fire to start and spread rapidly, particularly during periods of warm and dry weather.

"We are also concerned by the number of deliberate fires being reported. These incidents can have serious consequences, causing damage to the environment, putting people and property at risk and diverting emergency resources away from other incidents in our communities.

"If prolonged spells of warmer and drier weather continue to become a regular feature of our summers, we all need to recognise that our behaviour must change too. Actions that once seemed low risk can have serious consequences when conditions are right for fire to spread.

"Protecting Cheshire's countryside, communities and wildlife is something we can all contribute to by making responsible choices and being aware of the risks."

advertisement

Anyone who discovers a fire should move to a safe location and call 999 immediately, asking for the fire service.

Even if a fire appears to be out, it is important to report it as hidden hotspots can remain and reignite. In areas containing peatland, fires can smoulder underground before re-emerging and spreading.

The public are also encouraged to use the free What3Words app to help provide firefighters with an exact location, particularly in remote rural areas where incidents can be difficult to find quickly.

For more outdoor safety advice, visit: cheshirefire.gov.uk/your-safety/outdoor-safety