Firefighters remain at the scene of the large fire at Formby woods and Formby Golf Club
Firefighters have worked very hard in arduous conditions to contain and reduce the fire at Formby woods using hoses, beaters, shovels and axes. They remain at the scene dealing with flare ups and hotspots, doing excellent work preventing further damage to the environment. On Easter Monday, 22 April 2019. Fire crews were called to a large fire at Formby woods. Crews were alerted at 2.41pm and were delayed by heavy traffic in the area. Five fire engines were in attendance at a fire of approximately 1000 square metres involving pine trees located at Formby Golf club. Firefighters are locating water sources and liasing with national trust rangers and golf club staff. A walker told Formby Bubble that the flames were 30ft high reaching the top of the pine trees. He also said that once the fire was under control at Formby Golf Club that another fire was started deeper in the woods at National Trust property so the firefighters were called to fight that one and leave a skeleton crew at the golf club to deal with flare ups. It is not yet known how the fires were started but the incident is ongoing.
With the increased risk of spontaneous ignition to grass and woodland due to the prolonged high temperatures, residents were asked to be extra vigilant when out in the countryside or on the coast. With open ground temperatures rising very high in some areas currently, there is also the risk of fires even starting out of sight underground through smouldering peat and other materials.
Fires like this can then spread rapidly overground in the current temperatures. To help combat these risks MFRS is issuing the following guidance for residents to follow: •Ensure cigarettes are extinguished correctly and cannot reignite - don’t throw cigarette ends on the ground – take your litter home. •Never throw cigarette ends out of car windows. •Avoid using open fires in the countryside. •Don’t leave bottles or glass in woodland – sunlight shining through glass can start fires (take them home and recycle them). •Only use barbecues in a suitable and safe area and never leave them unattended. •If you see a fire, report it to the fire and rescue service immediately by calling 999 and give the nearest main road that the fire appliance can access. •Don’t attempt to tackle fires– leave the area as quickly as possible. We will keep you updated on the incident.
