North York Moors: Don’t Spark Disaster campaign launched

The ‘Don’t Spark Disaster’ campaign is being delivered by the North York Moors National Park Authority in partnership with North Yorkshire Council, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Forestry England and North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service. North Yorkshire Council funded the campaign, which is also being supported by the authority’s destination marketing and management service, Visit North Yorkshire.

The campaign comes as organisations continue to deal with the long-term impacts of last year’s devastating wildfire on Fylingdales Moor, which became the largest wildfire in the history of the North York Moors National Park.

Running throughout the summer months, Don’t Spark Disaster will deliver clear and impactful messages to residents and visitors about the simple actions that can help prevent wildfires. Campaign activity includes targeted social media advertising, e-newsletters, outdoor advertising and digital communications across North Yorkshire and beyond.

The campaign highlights how seemingly small actions – such as discarding cigarettes and leaving glass bottles behind, alongside behaviours such as lighting barbecues and campfires – can have devastating consequences for wildlife, landscapes, local communities and the emergency services. However, visitors are still encouraged to get outdoors and make the most of all that North Yorkshire has to offer. There are plenty of tasty local picnic options that don’t require on-site cooking, helping people to enjoy a safe day out while reducing the risk of wildfires.

As well as raising public awareness, the campaign is calling on businesses, community organisations and local groups to help spread the message by displaying campaign materials in their premises, on websites and across social media channels.

A free toolkit containing posters, digital graphics and social media assets is available to download, making it easy for organisations to support the campaign and reach residents and visitors alike.

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 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.”

North Yorkshire Council’s leader, Cllr Carl Les, 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.

“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.”

Lizzie Bushby, Deputy Chair and Member Champion for Recreation Management at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, 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 Parks takes simple steps to help protect these precious landscapes.”

For campaign resources and further information, visit the Don’t Spark Disaster campaign page at northyorkmoors.org.uk/dontsparkdisaster.