WARNING OF WILDFIRES IN BUSHY PARK
Bushy Park has warned visitors not to take barbecues to the park this weekend and to dispose of cigarette butts carefully and take litter home or place it in bins as glass bottles increase the risks of fire.
The Met Office issued a warning for wildfires covering London and urged all visitors to take extra precautions.
A spokesperson said: “The weather in London is glorious this week and we are enjoying seeing lots of people spending time in the parks, but it’s important to remember that spring is the peak season for wildfires.”
“We are reminding visitors to not bring a barbecue to the parks, to dispose of cigarette butts properly and to take litter home or place it in bins, as glass bottles increase the risks of fire.”
“Wildfires depend on a combination of available fuel, vegetation, especially if dry, fire weather conditions, (fire is more likely to spread in high winds, for example) and an ignition source (usually caused by people’s behaviour).
“Although most people typically equate the height of summer with the risk of fires, spring carries a significant risk due to the abundance of dry and dead vegetation which serves as readily available fuel.
“Currently there is a greater risk than normal due to March being one of the driest on record, and there being no predicted rain for the early part of April.”