Don’t Spark Disaster: North Yorkshire wildfire warning

Titled ‘Don’t Spark Disaster,’ the campaign urges both residents and visitors to take extra care in the countryside during the summer months to avoid triggering potentially devastating blazes.

The public is being reminded that seemingly minor actions—such as lighting barbecues, leaving campfires unattended, or carelessly discarding cigarettes and glass bottles—can quickly spark wildfires with long-lasting consequences.

North Yorkshire Council’s leader, Cllr Carl Les with Jim Bailey, Chair of the NYMNPA as a new wildfire prevention campaign is launched (Image: Supplied)

Jim Bailey, chair of the North York Moors National Park Authority, said: “Most wildfires are preventable.

“That’s the simple but crucial message at the heart of this campaign.”

The campaign is a joint effort led by the North York Moors National Park Authority, North Yorkshire Council, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Forestry England, and North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service.

Funding has been provided by North Yorkshire Council, with support from Visit North Yorkshire.

A new wildfire prevention campaign has been launched across North Yorkshire, urging residents and visitors to help reduce the risk of fires during hot, dry summer weather. (Image: Supplied)

Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire Council, said: “We welcome visitors here in North Yorkshire and our stunning landscapes attract millions of people every year, but we need everyone to understand the risks and take care of the environment.

“A barbecue in the sunshine or a carelessly discarded glass bottle or cigarette can have serious impacts for people and places for years to come, as we saw last year.

“This campaign is vital to making sure that we do not see a repeat of the biggest wildfire we have ever witnessed in North Yorkshire.

A new wildfire prevention campaign has been launched across North Yorkshire, urging residents and visitors to help reduce the risk of fires during hot, dry summer weather. (Image: Supplied)

“Our message is clear – please come and enjoy all that North Yorkshire has to offer but be aware that careless actions can cause a catastrophic impact on our communities and the natural environment.”

The campaign has been launched as partner organisations continue to deal with the long-term effects of a historic wildfire on Fylingdales Moor last year—the largest ever recorded in the North York Moors National Park.

That incident left parts of the landscape visibly scarred, with sheep still unable to return to some grazing areas.

Mr Bailey said: “The fire may have happened a year ago, but we continue to deal with the aftermath on a daily basis.

“Farmers and graziers have been unable to return sheep to parts of Fylingdales Moor, while the landscape remains visibly scarred by both the fire and the large earth trenches that were dug to stop it spreading further.

“We urge everyone to think carefully about their actions when enjoying the countryside this summer.

“A moment’s carelessness can have consequences that last for generations, but a few simple precautions can help prevent another devastating wildfire from happening in the first place.”

The ‘Don’t Spark Disaster’ campaign will run throughout the summer and will use social media, e-newsletters, outdoor advertising, and digital communications to share wildfire prevention messages across North Yorkshire and beyond.

Visitors are still encouraged to explore and enjoy the countryside, with advice to opt for picnic options that do not require on-site cooking to reduce the risk of accidental fires.

Businesses, community groups, and other organisations are being asked to help amplify the campaign by displaying materials in their premises and sharing content online.

A free toolkit of resources—including posters, digital graphics, and social media assets—is available to download.

The campaign also has the backing of Lizzie Bushby, deputy chair and member champion for recreation management at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

Ms Bushby said: “We are proud to support this campaign after witnessing the devastation caused by the Fylingdales Moor wildfire in the North York Moors.

“Moorland habitat is becoming more vulnerable as our climate changes.

“Once it burns, we lose essential habitats, wildlife and peatland that has taken hundreds of years to form.

“These fires are often the result of human actions, so it’s vital that everyone who visits our National Park takes simple steps to help protect these precious landscapes.”

More information and campaign resources are available at northyorkmoors.org.uk/dontsparkdisaster.